Genetics: Easy as ABC

In some cases, when carrying out scientific research, you cannot perform early investigations on humans due to ethical reasons. Therefore, to observe the impact of investigations in a real-world setting, rather than relying on theoretical or clinical research alone, we need a substitute to take the place of humans. For example, we could take a strain of Covid-19 and spray a bunch of bleach on it in a lab. Congratulations, we now have a potential way of killing Covid-19, let’s now just inject bleach into people to have the same result…not such a great idea (right Trump?). Ultimately, understanding scientific concepts and solving them in a clinical, theoretical setting, does not always translate into real-world solutions. Animals allow a kind of ‘intermediate’ to suggest how humans might respond, and thus have been vital in helping us understand human phenomena. But why do animals make the perfect ‘intermediate’? Widya Mulyasasmita, a geneticist from Stanford University, had a very cle...

Love them or hate them, royal families have a fascinating history. From the Egyptian Pharaohs to Queen Elizabeth II, there have been many monarchs across many continents and many years. Historically, one family would manage to stay in power through consanguinity, marrying a biological relative. The theory was that marrying a relative would keep the bloodline pure; ironically this led to the development of many genetic disorders in these families. To understand this, we must first understand how genetic conditions are inherited. A typical person has 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 in total, if you’re good at maths😉); you inherit 23 chromosomes from your mum, and 23 chromosomes from your Dad. In each of these pairs of chromosomes, you have genes, which correspond to one another. For example, one pair of chromosomes will hold the genes that define eye colour, so one chromosome includes the eye colour gene from the mother, let’s say it’s blue in this case, and the other chromosome include...