Human genetics
Human genetics is more concerned with genes of individuals. When the term human genetics is mentioned, we all think about the inherited gene contents that determine the traits of an individual. To understand what genes are, one has to know their location and component. Genes are located in the chromosomes.
Chromosomes contain the ingredients that make up a living thing. Chromosomes are present in almost all cells of a living thing and they are located in their nucleus. They are made up of deoxyribonucleic acid commonly known as DNA and they are in form of strands. Some segments of these strands of DNA are known as genes. Each gene has a different form of protein and as commonly known, proteins are essential in building, maintaining and regulating the body. Proteins are vital during bone formation, controlling digestion, enabling the movement of muscles and in keeping the heart beat. Most of the body cells have 46 chromosomes with the egg and sperm cells containing 23 chromosomes each. Following the union of an egg and a sperm, the fetus that results after this union inherits equal recipes of DNA from its parents, that is, the mother and the father. Out of the 46 chromosomes inherited by the fetus, only two determines a persons sex. A boy inherits Y chromosome from the father and an X chromosome from the mother while a girl inherits one X chromosome from the mother and another X chromosome from the father.
The history of human genetics dates back in the 19th century. Gregor Mendel, a Czech monk was the first individual who argued that human traits were passed on or inherited across the generation. Mendel studied the inheritance of traits in pea plants such as smoothness and color and realized that such traits were being passed on from the parent following a particular pattern. However, Mendels ideas were only expounded by other scientists in the 20th century. Genes exists in different forms known as the calledalleles. A gene in charge of hair color determination for example may have various forms known as alleles auburn hair, black hair, blond hair or red hair. From the two genes one inherits from his or her parents, one of the two genes is much stronger than the other respectively known as dominant and recessive genes. The dominant gene determines the physical traits or characteristics of an individual and it is outwardly expressed in a living organism. For a recessive kind of trait to be exhibited, two recessive alleles must combine. In this case, the outcome may be different from the parents or the origin of the genes. Combination of two recessive genes usually leads to genetic disorders manifested in various forms today such as albinism.
Many of the genetically related disorders being noted today are as a result of changes in genes or alteration of genetic codes. In some instances, genes may be deleted while in other cases, they may be located in the wrong areas in a chromosome. They may also be swapped between other chromosomes. Due to these alterations, genes fail to work or end up working in the wrong parts of the body leading to genetic disorders. Mutation is another way in which the genetic code can be altered. Mutation of genes can have various implications they can prevent some protein parts from being made, can lead to substitution of amino acids, can delete some parts of the message thus shortening the gene, or they can make messages or proteins begin at the wrongful place. All these mutations manifest themselves as disorders. Some disorders are mild while others can be life threatening.
Future of human genetics
So far, scientists and specialists dealing with human genetics have been able to identify and relate most of the birth defects and disorders to genetic variation. The specialists have also been able to identify the various mutations that cause disorders which have helped them come up with preventative measures for individuals believed to be at high risks of passing a disorder to their offspring. Treatments to some genetic disorders have been manufactured. With such tremendous breakthrough in human genetics, I believe that this field of medicine will further expand in the future. My vision for human genetics is to see scientists in this field being able to identify all genetic disorders and to come up not only with the cure for them but also preventative medicines for any individual feared to be at risk of such disorders. In the future, human genetic scientists should also be in a position to develop an immunization medicine to protect all individuals from genetic diseases. When this happens, medicine field will have discovered cures to almost all diseases including cancer, diabetes and other terminal illnesses.
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