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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 30 2008, 1:34 AM EDT (current) | Combat_Ken | |
| Apr 30 2008, 1:34 AM EDT | Combat_Ken | 4 words added |
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From Garden Pea to Human ???
Gregor Mendel (1882-1884) has been often referred to as the founder of modern genetics. His early experiments focussed on the hybridization of the common garden pea. From this, the terms "Dominant" and "Recessive" genes were coined. For over a century his work has influenced the study of genetics in every creature on Earth, including humans.
However, recent studies have begun to strongly criticise the relevance of Mendel's work (Novitski, 2004; Hartl & Orel, 2007; Fairbanks & Rytting, 2001), particulary in light of the emerging field of Epigenetics.
Mendel asserted that the information held in our genes (our genome) was set. Unchangeable. Unalterable. He asserted that the genes handed down from parent to child was the same as those from great, great grandparent to great, great grandchild. However there were/are several holes in his theories.
The claim that genes were unalterable left one very pertinent question unanswered by Mendel: How do physical and mental condition enter a families history? Simly explaining it via recessive genes was not enough.
For example:
According to strict genetic theory, if you have a brother or sister, you both share precisely the same set of 24 pairs of chromosomes from your parents. You have precisely identical genetic information that determines everything from your body shape to your personality, yet brothers and sisters are rarely identical. Even dizygotic twins can have unique qualities. Even if siblings are born years apart, according to this theory, they share identical genetic information, yet can be very different. Seems pretty straight forward, but this demanded further investigation and explanation. The genetic scientists had grown powerful and were very upset by this revelation.
In many Vietnam Veterans' families, one child will be born pre-trauma and another post-trauma. Significant differences can be seen in their physical and (more predominantly) personality traits. Many Veterans have children from two or more partnerships, so this may be explained by focusing on the mother's family history to seek explanation, but many Veterans also have been with the same spouse since before their service. To date, scientists have no satisfactory answer to this situation. The fact that one child born pre-trauma and another post-trauma will have distinctly different traits strongly suggests that the genetic information in the father's genome was somehow altered.
Thus epigenetics started providing some of the answers.
There remains many more, but they are rapidly being resolved.
Gregor Mendel (1882-1884) has been often referred to as the founder of modern genetics. His early experiments focussed on the hybridization of the common garden pea. From this, the terms "Dominant" and "Recessive" genes were coined. For over a century his work has influenced the study of genetics in every creature on Earth, including humans.
However, recent studies have begun to strongly criticise the relevance of Mendel's work (Novitski, 2004; Hartl & Orel, 2007; Fairbanks & Rytting, 2001), particulary in light of the emerging field of Epigenetics.
Mendel asserted that the information held in our genes (our genome) was set. Unchangeable. Unalterable. He asserted that the genes handed down from parent to child was the same as those from great, great grandparent to great, great grandchild. However there were/are several holes in his theories.
The claim that genes were unalterable left one very pertinent question unanswered by Mendel: How do physical and mental condition enter a families history? Simly explaining it via recessive genes was not enough.
For example:
According to strict genetic theory, if you have a brother or sister, you both share precisely the same set of 24 pairs of chromosomes from your parents. You have precisely identical genetic information that determines everything from your body shape to your personality, yet brothers and sisters are rarely identical. Even dizygotic twins can have unique qualities. Even if siblings are born years apart, according to this theory, they share identical genetic information, yet can be very different. Seems pretty straight forward, but this demanded further investigation and explanation. The genetic scientists had grown powerful and were very upset by this revelation.
In many Vietnam Veterans' families, one child will be born pre-trauma and another post-trauma. Significant differences can be seen in their physical and (more predominantly) personality traits. Many Veterans have children from two or more partnerships, so this may be explained by focusing on the mother's family history to seek explanation, but many Veterans also have been with the same spouse since before their service. To date, scientists have no satisfactory answer to this situation. The fact that one child born pre-trauma and another post-trauma will have distinctly different traits strongly suggests that the genetic information in the father's genome was somehow altered.
Thus epigenetics started providing some of the answers.
There remains many more, but they are rapidly being resolved.
©Copyright 2008 Ken O’Brien
