The Effects of Genetic Research in the Modern World
Stephanie Mendoza
Biological Anthropology 101
Professor Deanna Heikkinen
06 October 2010
The Effects of Genetic Research in the Modern World What makes the human genome so incredibly fascinating? Is it the thousands of genetic sequences of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) or the fact that all life is specified by genomes? Or could it be the fact that a genome contains the building blocks of life and without it, life would not exist as it is at this very moment? These are the types of questions that spark the interest in the human genome and genetic research. From the beginning of time, scientists have always shown great interest in the whereabouts of the human species, being that the human species are the most complex organisms living to this present day. Who wouldn’t want to know more about oneself, especially if it could be beneficial to obtain that knowledge? Why are human beings so complex? Why do humans behave the way they do? Why do individuals have different skin colors or hair or heights and sizes? All of these questions and more are answered through the help of genetic research.
Genetic research plays both a positive and negative role in the world today. Through genetic research, the entire human genome was deciphered, revealing the mystery of the composition of human beings and life itself. But the question is what the effects of genetic research are in these modern times? The answer is both simple and complex. Genetic research has caused a heated debate in the modern world today between religious faith traditions and scientists, an ongoing battle since the time of Darwin. Once again the issue of creation versus evolution stands on trial. The effects of genetic research in the modern world are both positive and negative. The positive effects genetic research provides are advances in molecular medicine, energy sources and environmental applications, and better insight in bio archaeology, anthropology, evolution, and human migration (“Human Genome
Biological Anthropology 101
Professor Deanna Heikkinen
06 October 2010
The Effects of Genetic Research in the Modern World What makes the human genome so incredibly fascinating? Is it the thousands of genetic sequences of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) or the fact that all life is specified by genomes? Or could it be the fact that a genome contains the building blocks of life and without it, life would not exist as it is at this very moment? These are the types of questions that spark the interest in the human genome and genetic research. From the beginning of time, scientists have always shown great interest in the whereabouts of the human species, being that the human species are the most complex organisms living to this present day. Who wouldn’t want to know more about oneself, especially if it could be beneficial to obtain that knowledge? Why are human beings so complex? Why do humans behave the way they do? Why do individuals have different skin colors or hair or heights and sizes? All of these questions and more are answered through the help of genetic research.
Genetic research plays both a positive and negative role in the world today. Through genetic research, the entire human genome was deciphered, revealing the mystery of the composition of human beings and life itself. But the question is what the effects of genetic research are in these modern times? The answer is both simple and complex. Genetic research has caused a heated debate in the modern world today between religious faith traditions and scientists, an ongoing battle since the time of Darwin. Once again the issue of creation versus evolution stands on trial. The effects of genetic research in the modern world are both positive and negative. The positive effects genetic research provides are advances in molecular medicine, energy sources and environmental applications, and better insight in bio archaeology, anthropology, evolution, and human migration (“Human Genome
Cited: * "Human Genome Project Information." Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Web. 06 Oct. 2010. <http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/home.shtml>. * McPherson, Jerry. "Effects of Genetic Engineering." Disabled World - Health and Disability Community News. 24 Aug. 2008. Web. 07 Oct. 2010. <http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/genetic-engineering.shtml>. * Microbial Genomics. Web. 06 Oct. 2010. <http://microbialgenomics.energy.gov/>. * Stanford, Craig B., John S. Allen, and Susan C. Antón. Exploring Biological Anthropology: the Essentials. Second ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2010. Print.