School & Science Project Experiment Links

Figuring out genes - the biological units that determine the characteristics and capabilities of all terrestrial life - is ostensibly in the interest of helping humanity. The theory goes that if we can find out how the body works - including what causes it to die, become diseased, and fail in other ways - we can improve on what nature has forced upon us.

Human genetics research positively impacts our lives. Infertile couples have options for bearing healthy children from Choose Better Human Genes.

The ability to test for genetic disposition to Alzheimer's and breast cancer gives at-risk individuals the option of preparing for or attempting to prevent the disorders, as discussed at Reuterlink Extra: Genetic Testing.

Genetic research on animals, with which humans share many genes, is on its way to curing hemophilia, Down's syndrome, herpes, and arthritis. And genetherapy, the altering of genetic material in living humans, is being tested to combat cystic fibrosis, some cancers, and AIDS, as detailed at the National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet.

The conceivable potential for genetics research to help humanity is mind-boggling. No more cancer or birth defects. No more dieting to stave off obesity. No more brushing daily to avoid cavities. No more planning for death in your 70's. In fact, every disease caused by faulty or missing genes is a candidate for cure by genetic research. See What Can DNA Research Do?

Given its potential for good, who would object to genetics research? A lot of people, as it turns out. If knowledge is power, pushing the boundaries of altering humans at the genetic level has the power to harm humanity.

Some people - many in accordance with religious beliefs - object to any altering of human genes. If you change the structure of what God created, they say, aren't you pretending to be God? A fascinating genetics dialogue between religious and scientific experts is transcripted by Online NewsHour at Cloning Mammals.

The Science Religion and Technology Project of the Church of Scotland offers a broader analysis of genetics, ethics, and religion.

Even if you admit that genetic research is mostly beneficial, you probably draw the line somewhere regarding what's acceptable. When Dolly the sheep was cloned in 1997, for example, you - like many people - might have felt an intuitive alarm. If it's cloning sheep today, after all, cloning humans can't be far off. Read Britain Prepares to Legalize Embryo Cloning, and Cow-Human Clones.

Potentially more disturbing is the possibility of cloning headless humans for the purpose of growing internal organs, as discussed at British Scientist Create Headless Frog Embryo.

The ability to grow human embryos, livers, and (perhaps) brains in animals isn't fiction, however, as outlined at Body Shop Sells Body Parts. Neither is eugenics, the attempt to create a "better" human at the genetic level, as detailed at Pragmatism and Genetic Engineering. The debate rages on about what is "faulty" (Deafness? Baldness? Albinism? PMS?) and what is a variance that contributes to the strange and wonderful diversity of humanity.

Finally, the sidelines of genetic research can be as disturbing as its advances. For example, most genetics research is corporate, which raises ethical and legal questions about who owns genes and the tissue that contains them. Glaxo, Columbia University, and the US National Institutes of Health have applied for (and been granted) patents to your genes, as detailed at Examples of Patented Human Genes.

In fact, whole populations have been patented because of their abilities to resist common conditions, such as baldness, HIV, and asthma, as seen at Hunting for Human DNA.

Few sciences prompt such strong feelings of soaring optimism, gloomy foreboding, or just plain creepiness as genetics. Because of this, ethics is as much a part of genetic research as genes are a part of DNA, and you don't have to understand the science of genetics to be interested in its ramifications. It's a brave new world!

Practically every breakthrough in genetic research sparks a debate about its ethical limitations. Arm yourself with both questions and answers at these sites.

DNA Learning Centre

This amazing site introduces you to the magic of DNA, the cellular matter that contains genes. Start with DNA from the beginning, a walk-through of key concepts in the entire range of genetics - from basic inheritance to cutting-edge DNA analyses (Netscape Communicator or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or later and RealAudio and Shockwave plug-ins are required). Register (it's free) and load the tutorial, which explains the primer's interactive features, or skip directly to the primer itself. Other parts of the site include feature articles, animations, and exercises (under Research); publications, texts, and lab kits for sales (under Products); and explanations and brochures for workshops and field trips (under Programs). Links leads to other online resources, and Gene Talk houses chat groups and forums.

Human Genome Project Information (HGP)

The world's best-known effort to catalog the 80,000 genes as well as the 3 million chemical bases that make up human DNA is the focus of this site. Much of the information is palatable only the geneticists, but there is also plenty for the casual observer. Human Genome News is a monthly, archived, and searchable newsletter with articles on the project; links to genetics news online; and analysis of ethical, legal, and social implications of HGP. The About section covers HGP progress, history, and goals. Basic information includes a glossary, a genetics primer, and a FAQ. If you bookmark only one source of genetics information, this should be it.

The DNA Files

Based on the National Public Radio series by the same name, this entertaining and informative site offers excerpts of eight radio programs on topics ranging from the Human Genome Project (the previously reviewed HGP site) to DNA & Behavior to Predictive Genetic Testing. RealAudio files and summaries are located under About the Programs. Interact proposes realistic scenarios involving Marfan Syndrome, breast cancer, and transgenics (blending genetic material of different animals), then asks you to make choices based on the information. See how your choices compare with other readers'. Genetics Resources lists on- and offline sources of information about the topics in each program.

New Scientist Planet Science: Cloning: A Special Project

Warning: Vivid imagery ahead! More than 30 news articles, FAQ, and editorials on this site might lead you to picture a pasture with 100 identical cows, a lab with 10 headless humans, or a room with your great grandmother "reborn" through cloned cells. With engaging text and colorful illustrations, this site walks you through the science, future, and ethics of cloning. Ultimately raising more questions than it answers, it is nevertheless a fairly unbiased and thorough overview of the most captivating arm of genetics. Make sure to scroll down the Web Links section, which lists further online resources.

The Natural History of Genes

This site pays more than lip service to genetics through many fascinating activities and experiments. Go to Core Genetics Activities to learn how to extract DNA using kitchen utensils, build a 3-D animal cell molecule, use DNA evidence to solve crimes, find out your blood type, and much more. Teens Fun Stuff and Tomorrow's Textbook contain selections from these projects, as well as additional experiments. Newspaper articles on genetics from the Salt Lake Tribune are under What's in the News. Use Find It Fast to look for specific activities and articles on the site.