FIND OUT MORE. Cells 73 • Genetic Engineering 210–211 • Reproduction 148
209
HOW WILL THE HUMAN GENOME BE USED?
Scientists are using results of the Human Genome
Project to study genetic diseases (those that may be
inherited), such as cystic fibrosis. By identifying the
gene, they should be able to diagnose a disease much
earlier, and design more effective treatments. Knowing
part of the genome means that scientists can already
identify an individual’s. DNA FINGERPRINT.WHAT IS A GENOME?
A genome is the sequence of all the letters of the
genetic code on the DNA of a particular organism.
The. HUMAN GENOME has about three billion
letters. Scientists have developed special techniques
for sequencing (reading) DNA, with the help of
powerful computers.WHAT IS THE GENETIC CODE?
The genetic code has four letters, A, T, C, and G. These
letters represent gvroups of atoms called bases, spaced
out along the DNA molecule. The make-up of living
things is fixed by the order of these bases. Words in
the code are three letters, such as TCA. Genes are like
long sentences written with these words.CAN DNA PROVE WHO COMMITTED A CRIME?
The chance of two individuals having the same DNA
sequence in 10 scanned sections is incredibly small.
If DNA found at a crime scene, in a hair for example,
matches a sample from a suspect to this degree,
then it is “beyond reasonable doubt” that the hair
is the suspect’s.
Genetics is the study of how living
things pass their features from one
generation to the next. Your sex and
your chances of developing certain
diseases are fixed by your genes.
Apart from identical twins, everyone’s DNA
is different. By scanning about 10 sections
(about 500 letters long each) of your DNA,
scientists can create your DNA fingerprint.
The aim of the Human Genome Project
is to produce the complete sequence of
the genome of the human being.HUMAN GENOME PROJECT
DNA DOUBLE HELIX 3
This 3-D computer graphic shows
a section of the double helix
(spiral) of DNA. Individual atoms
are shown as coloured balls. These
atoms form into groups to create
different bases. The two strands
of the helix are linked by bases.Genetics
4 HUMAN GENOME
Each of the wells in this tray contains a different fragment of human
DNA. It takes 60 of these trays to hold a complete human genome.DNA FINGERPRINT
DNA FINGERPRINT 1
The pattern and the strength of
the bands on this chart represent
the DNA sequences of samples
taken from individuals.Phosphorus
atom (orange)Nitrogen
atom (blue)Oxygen atom
(green)Hydrogen atom
(white)Carbon
atom (pink)FRANCIS CRICK
English, 1916-
JAMES WATSON
American, 1928-
In 1953, inspired by scientist
Rosalind Franklin, Crick and
Watson built a DNA double
helix (spiral) model. They
linked the strands of the helix
with A, T, C, and G molecules.Science and Technology
genetics