Unnatural Selection by Wingerson

Ref: Lois Wingerson (1998). Unnatural Selection: The Promise and Power of Human Gene Research. Bantam Books. ISBN: 0553097091.

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Summary

Unnatural Selection explores advances in human genetic research--and how these advances are redefining the way we view ourselves and our world. From physical illnesses to behavioral traits, the mapping of our genes is moving with astonishing rapidity. Every week brings word of new genetic findings. Soon we will have extraordinary amounts of information about our most intimate selves. But--as this insightful, sometimes disturbing book makes clear--this knowledge raises serious ethical, legal, and personal issues none of us can afford to ignore. With each new genetic test, new questions arise. Just because the test exists, should we be tested? The tests are often marketed by for-profit companies. Who determines what conditions warrant testing? If a person discovers he or she carries the gene for a particular disorder, what then? How private is this knowledge of our most intimate selves? Who has access to it in an age of medical claim forms and computer networks? In clear and accessible language, Unnatural Selection takes us into the world of researchers, physicians, ethicists, families, and people like ourselves as they contemplate the promise and the pitfalls of this exploding field of knowledge (goodreads).

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Amino Acid: A set of three base pairs.
Cell Division: The helix opens.
Proteins: Create structures and act/react.
Translocation (genes and proteins): Letter sequences copied and used to create a corresponding chain of protein sub-units which are amino acids, the chemical properties of the amino acid sequence cause the emerging protein to fold and twist in a unique way (its function is implicit to its shape).
Double Helix: Folded, coiled, recoiled, cushioned, and packaged into dense structures called chromosomes.
- 23 pairs of chromosomes (XX= women, XY= man).

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Achondroplasia: A genetic disease that causes Dwarfism.
ADA Deficiency: A genetic disease in which a person us unable to produce the enzyme Adenosine Deaminase (ADA), for which a substance accumulates in the blood that is toxic to cells of the immune system.
Alzheimer’s Disease: A genetic disease characterized by memory loss and brain decline. Associated with the blood brain barrier protein Apalipo Protein E (APOE).
Cystic Fibrosis (CF): A genetic disease in which a person has a molecular defect in the channel that carries salt across cell membranes; CF is a defect in the transport of chloride into and out of cells. It disrupts the secretion of digestive enzymes, endangering the pancreas and liver.
- Tx: Chest pounding to break down fluid in the lungs (loosen mucus).
Down Syndrome: A genetic disease where a person has an extra copy of Chromosome 21.
Fragile X Syndrome: A genetic disease and the 2nd biggest cause of retardation after Down Syndrome. Inside the gene HMR1 are repeats of the mutations which causes the syndrome.
Gaucher’s: A genetic disease where a person is missing an enzyme that breaks down lipids (fatty substances). Lipids began to build up in certain organs such as the spleen causing many different symptoms.
Tay-Sachs: A genetic disorder where a person has a mutation in the HEXA gene resulting in a deficiency of the enzyme beta-hexosaminidase A, which is required to break down the fatty substance GM2 ganglioside.

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Contact: Sperm penetrates egg, fertilization begins taking within 24h.
Cleavage: Zygote travels down the fallopian tube and divides into two identical cells called blastomeres.
Redivision: Blastomeres divide again at 18h intervals becoming 4, then 8.
1. This is a pre-embryo (individual cells can be removed without apparent harm to embryo, embryosis mingled genes began to control development).
Specialization: Embryo divides again to 16 cells, resulting in a morula.
Differentiation: ~4 days after fertilization, cells on the outside of the embryo flatten and become placenta (inner cells become the embryo proper). The Embryo is a blastocyst.
Implementation: Day 6, 120 cell blastocyst arrives in uterus, at day 7 it implants itself in the uterine wall where it connects with maternal blood circulation. Inner cells organize into the ectoderm and the endoderm.
Gastrulation: Dividing cells form a middle layer (mesoderm), of which the center is called a primitive streak and gives the embryo a head and tail, left, right side.

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1983: The Human Genome Project begins to identify and catalogue the 3B different basepairs found in humans.-Unnatural Selection by Wingerson.
1953: Discovery of DNA by Loeb, Morgan, Muller, Watson & Crick.-Unnatural Selection by Wingerson.

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