 |
|
| hy do you have red hair
but your sister is a blonde? Why does a |
| plant have red and purple
blooms? The answer lies in genetics, the |
| study of the
genetic material, or genes, passed from parent to offspring. |
| Geneticists
study genes in humans, plants, and animals. In the laboratory
they |
| analyze genes
found in cells, viruses, and bacteria. They breed a wide variety |
| of organisms
to study inherited traits. Computers enable geneticists to
analyze |
| and compare
the genome sequence of human and other organisms and to |
| scrutinize
large populations to search for genes that make members more |
| susceptible
to inherited diseases or birth defects. Geneticists may mutate,
or |
| change genes
in plants to improve crop production and disease-resistance. |
| They may
diagnose inherited diseases in people using sophisticated |
| laboratory
methods and hunt for new genes that cause disease. Human |
| geneticists
may specialize in forensic applications using DNA analysis in |
| criminal
investigations, mass fatality identification, or establishment of
family |
|
relationships. Geneticists work to develop new plants, drugs,
and foods |
| that will
improve the quality of life for people throughout the world. |
