Use of Growing Knowledge of Genetics to Improve on Human Species

Genetics and the Improvement of Human Species

The study of genes, variation in genetic elements and traits, and heredity in living things is known as genetics. Human genetics is the study of how traits are passed down via a family tree from one generation to the next. Due to the transfer of genes during conception, a child can acquire many traits from both of his parents. Black hair, curly hair, albinism, astigmatism, brown eyes, and baldness in both sexes are some of these traits (Strachan & Read, 2011). Depending on the genetic makeup, these features may be dominant or recessive. Some diseases, including sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, and neurofibromatosis, among others, may be inherited as a result of gene transfer. These disorders pose many challenges on growth and development of human beings. Understanding and applying knowledge of genetics may help to reduce such problems and therefore improve human species. This paper, therefore, concentrates on some of the ways through which scientist and students can apply the genetics to improve human species.

Genetic Engineering for Disease Prevention

Genetic engineering provides an idea to eradicate common diseases that affect humankind. This may seem impossible in the eyes of ordinary people, but to the scientists, the use of information from DNA is a possible strategy to come up with new ways to treat or prevent many diseases. The knowledge of genetics can help an individual to identify bad genes that can cause human disorders, and remove them at early stages before conception. This would inhibit the transfer of diseases from one generation to another making human species to live longer and healthier. When the bodies of human beings are less susceptible to infections, mutations can easily be kept under control; therefore, diseases like sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, and cystic fibrosis would cease to exist (Whiteley, Fitzpatrick, Funk, & Tallmon, 2015). A researcher who understands the genetics of diseases would quickly determine its causes and recommend the possible cure. In 1990, the thirteen-year Human Genome Project (HGP) identified about 30,000 genes in human DNA, some of which form the major carriers to diseases (Whiteley et al., 2015). This project confirmed that many diseases are gene-oriented, and therefore, the diseases can be easily prevented.

Genetic Modification for Improved Nutrition

Genetics provide knowledge on how to eradicate hunger and provide new nutrients for growth of human species. The genetically modified foods form the basis of providing nutritious foods to humankind such as sweet tomatoes and cherries (Whiteley et al., 2015). The introduction of genetically modified human beings through the introduction of new genes in the embryo calls for modification of feeds too. A genetically modified person would require specific nutrients that can be enhanced through the introduction of GMOs. Therefore, with confidence, the knowledge of genetics should be used to develop human species because it can generate nutrients that may help to nurture the new species.

Genetics and Intelligence

Intelligence and genes have some relationship. The intelligence quotient (IQ) of twins may likely be different from that of an adopted child within a family. Through genetic studies, one can combine genes of an intelligent man and woman to generate an offspring with high IQ (Strachan & Read, 2011). It is, however, important to note that genetic factors account for only 50 percent of the difference in the ability of individuals to reason, think, and solve problems. Many genes are associated with the intelligence of a person with each gene contributing just a small fraction of the net intelligence quotient (Strachan & Read, 2011). The scientist can, therefore, venture into such technological activities to bring out individuals who can help in solving many problems within communities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, growing knowledge of genetics that students and scientists obtain from schools and research institutions through experiments and research can help to develop human species. Understanding characteristics of various genes in the human body will help to reduce disorders that are associated with them. Proper analysis and combination of genes may result in the production of very intelligent beings. If the combination of genes is not done properly, many complications may be exhibited on the resulting offspring.

References

Strachan, T., & Read, A. P. (2011). Human molecular genetics. New York: Garland Science.

Whiteley, A. R., Fitzpatrick, S. W., Funk, W. C., & Tallmon, D. A. (2015). Genetic rescue to the rescue. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 30(1), 42-49.