Issue 5 Article 2

The Mysteries of Genetics

25/5/20

By:

Lim Khai Eun Hayden

Edited:

Lee Zhe Yu, Nathan

Tag:

Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

Today, we’re diving into one of the most exciting fields in science—genetics, where the mysteries of life are unraveled, one DNA strand at a time. In fact, if you stretched out the DNA from just one human cell, it would span about 2 meters, yet it’s intricately folded into a nucleus only 6 micrometers wide; multiply that by the trillions of cells in your body, and you'd have enough DNA to reach the sun and back over 300 times. Pretty fascinating right? And that’s only the beginning…

What is Genetics?

At its core, genetics is the science of heredity and variation. It answers questions like: Why do I have my mom’s eyes but my dad’s hairline? Or how does a single fertilized egg turn into a whole human—or a cactus, or a giraffe? Genetics digs deep into DNA, the molecular equivalent of a Google Doc, storing the instructions for everything from hair texture to how you metabolize pizza.

DNA: The Superstar Molecule

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid (yes, it’s a mouthful), is the ultimate multitasker. It not only stores genetic information but also copies itself with startling precision—though let’s be honest, even DNA has typos. These "typos," or mutations, are changes in the DNA sequence that often result in no effect on our bodies, but occasionally can lead to fascinating traits (like freckles) or serious challenges (like genetic disorders). Mutations come in several forms: point mutations involve a single nucleotide change, insertions and deletions add or remove segments of DNA, and frameshift mutations can disrupt the entire reading frame of a gene. Some mutations are silent, causing no change in protein function, while others can be missense (changing one amino acid) or nonsense (introducing a premature stop codon). Ultimately, the effects really depend on where the mutation occurs and whether it disrupts a gene’s function.

Why Genetics Matters

Genetics is like the backstage pass to life’s concert—it shows us how traits are inherited, how diseases develop, and even how to grow better tomatoes. This knowledge has transformed fields like:

Medicine: From diagnosing genetic disorders to tailoring treatments through gene therapy and personalized medicine, genetics is reshaping healthcare. Got a pesky mutation? CRISPR might snip it out like an editor fixing a typo.
Agriculture: Genetics helps breed crops that resist pests, tolerate drought, and taste better (thank genetics for seedless watermelons).
Forensics: DNA analysis has become the gold standard for solving crimes, proving paternity, and—occasionally—exonerating innocent suspects.

In summary, at its core, genetics examines the roles of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) in storing and transmitting genetic information. DNA, the molecule that defines the genetic blueprint of all living organisms, is composed of four nucleotides: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). The sequence of these bases encodes the instructions for cellular functions, development, and reproduction. RNA, as you probably would have known by now, contains uracil (U) instead of thymine, a crucial difference that separates these two types of nucleic acids and allows them to perform their functions more effectively.

Such a complex yet beautiful structure really makes us wonder: without certain key elements, life would simply cease to exist. This famous double helix structure isn’t just aesthetically pleasing—it’s a design so efficient that even IKEA would be impressed. And, unsurprisingly, this has been a promising field for scientific research, as we grapple with the terms of our existence and dive deeper into the origins of life itself by studying DNA.

A quick infographic of DNA (from: https://www.compoundchem.com/2015/03/24/dna/)

Genes

Genes are specific sections of DNA that act like chapters in your personal "How To Be You" book. They determine everything from your height to whether cilantro tastes like soap. (If you’re in the soap-tasting camp, blame the gene OR6A2.)

However, genes aren’t absolute dictators—they operate more like cooperative team members working in context. Whether a gene is turned “on” or “off” can be influenced by epigenetic mechanisms (like DNA methylation or histone modification), environmental factors (such as diet, stress, or exposure to toxins), and even random molecular fluctuations. For example, identical twins have the same genetic code, yet their gene expression can diverge over time due to differences in environment and experience. This explains why traits and health outcomes aren’t solely determined by your DNA. It’s not just the genetic script that matters, but also how it’s read, edited, and performed (so, if you are a chronic couch potato, it may be time to exercise).

Personalized Medicine: The Future is Now

One of the most exciting advancements in genetics is personalized medicine. Imagine going to the doctor and receiving treatments specifically tailored to your genetic profile. Got a mutation linked to a certain type of cancer? There’s a targeted therapy for that. Have a high risk of developing a disease? Your genetic data could guide preventive care. Personalized medicine is turning “one-size-fits-all” into “custom-fit,” and we’re here for it.

However, as with any powerful tool, it comes with ethical implications, especially in the realm of genetic privacy and insurance. If your genome reveals a predisposition to certain diseases, should insurance companies have access to that information? Could it be used to raise premiums or deny coverage altogether? While laws like GINA (the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act) in the U.S. offer some protection against genetic discrimination in health insurance and employment, life insurance, disability, and long-term care policies are often exempt, creating many gray areas in regulation.

As we continue to unlock the code of life, we must also grapple with questions of equity, consent, and data security. Who owns your genetic data? How should it be shared? And how do we ensure these breakthroughs benefit everyone—not just those who can afford premium genomic services? Personalized medicine might be the future of care, but it demands a parallel conversation on genetic ethics to ensure it’s fair, just, and truly personal.

Genetic Engineering: Science Meets Sci-Fi

If you think genetics sounds futuristic, brace yourself—genetic engineering is making the impossible possible. Scientists are editing genes to cure diseases, create glowing fish (because why not?), and even revive extinct species (yes, Jurassic Park vibes, but with ethics). CRISPR, the game-changing gene-editing tool, is leading this revolution. While we’re not quite at designer babies, the potential is mind-blowing—and raises important ethical questions we must tackle.

As you might have already guessed, one key aspect of genetics is the study of DNA, the molecule that carries genetic information. The structure of DNA, with its iconic double helix, holds the key to understanding how traits are passed on from parents to offspring. As such, genetics is a field that unravels the mysteries of heredity and variation in living organisms. It explores how traits are passed down from one generation to the next through DNA, the blueprint of life. Understanding genetics not only sheds light on the diversity of life forms but also plays a crucial role in fields like medicine, agriculture, and forensics. Genetics is a complex yet fascinating subject, encompassing various intriguing concepts such as inheritance, gene expression, and genetic disorders. However, by unlocking these mysteries, scientists have made incredible breakthroughs in gene therapy, personalized medicine, and genetic engineering.

The future of genetics lies in integrating multi-omics approaches (e.g., genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) to provide a holistic understanding of biological systems. If you were wondering: Genomics is the study of an organism's complete set of DNA, including the structure, function, and evolution of genes, while proteomics focuses on the large-scale study of proteins. Metabolomics then examines the collection of small molecules (metabolites) in cells and tissues, offering insights into metabolic pathways and cellular processes. All of these approaches can be used in conjunction to enhance our understanding of genetic diseases, making crucial advancements in the field of medicine.

On top of that, emerging fields like synthetic genomics and epigenome editing hold the potential to redefine our interaction with biological systems. As we stand on the brink of a genetic revolution, it is clear that this science will continue to influence every facet of life, from curing diseases to shaping ecosystems.

Stay curious, stay informed, and remember: you’re 100% unique, just like everyone else. Thank your DNA for that😉

References:

Issue 7 - July 2025

The Mysteries of Genetics