Engineering The Genome

Genetics, in general, is the inheritance of the genetic makeover on a molecular level which makes someone function– from the cells doing their individual jobs to neurological pulses from the brain to control our every moment, action, and decisions we make.

Their gene or their specific DNA sequence is what makes a person different from the rest. Although 99% of the genome of all human beings in the world are the same, that 1% is what makes them different. But that’s not all. The gene of a person only contributes to how they might function; the traits and certain potential mutations inherited from their ancestors can influence them, but only if the progeny develops it and passes it on to the next generation. Meaning- the genes are passed down to specific individuals, but they need to activate their traits. For example, a son of a bodybuilder has natural muscles so he doesn’t necessarily need to work as hard as his father did. The sons/daughters of athletes have potential to become more talented than their parents and this is more probable if both their parents are athletes as well.

Genes, genetics are only responsible for how we act, behave, and function, but those genes are

enhanced by the individual as they learn new skills and talents and that in turn is enhanced by the next progeny, and the next, and so on. For example, the serial killer gene, also known as MAOA and CDH13; basically the mutated version on MAOA, MAOA-L is linked to dangerous behavior, as it has a low dopamine contribution rate and the CDH13 is a protein-coding for neuronal membrane where the aa mutation in these genes increases aggression and violent behavior.

However, the situation is what makes them who they are. A predator does hate its prey or hunts them, if they are taught how to hunt. Their natural instinct is to hunt, but if they aren’t taught to do so, the natural flow is disturbed. Including some other factors, it could change how they see things. Similarly, human beings evolve as we learn and progress and pass on, but we also know that if we keep resisting the urge and temptation to do something, we’ll eventually develop a resistance towards it, just like antibody development towards a certain type of virus. If our system keeps resisting and keeps the cells from dying, our body will eventually adapt to the condition and produce a stronger immune response. In this sense, the human body has evolved through multiple millennia of adaptation in both physical stature and behavioral patterns.

So by learning these patterns of sequenced and ordered changes in our genetic code, we could

speed up the progress for the better, and could do potential modification in our behavioral

patterns, by small changes in the genetic sequence, or eventually cut off those genes entirely; It might be majorly beneficial to people with specific kinds of mutation in CDH13 and MAOA-L genes, where they’re driven to violence. More advancements could lead to major development and evolutionary changes in humans.The more we find out and learn about the human body and its functions, the more we’ll be able to control and make changes with fewer to no errors. Hypothetically, if we knew everything about the human system and can make changes to a certain level, we’ll be able to access or comprehend the changes to the human system in cross-species genetics. Like sharks are immune to the most dangerous diseases known to man or Starfish can regenerate lost body parts completely. These things can be incorporated into the human genome. Once we know all the facts and make discoveries, someday we will be able to manipulate our genetic code and sequence and make changes for the betterment of humankind.

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By: Kidher Rahman

Editor: Zaiba Fathima

#gene #editing