From the Paper
"In 1952, frogs were the first animals to be successfully cloned, but society yawned, barely noticing, this significant scientific milestone or its future implications. July 1997 provided living proof of the first mammal (sheep), named "Dolly" ever cloned from a single adult cell. Scientists in the U.K and Japan claim to have cloned pigs and bulls. Japanese researchers have actually grown in test tubes the eyes and ears of a frog using its own embryo cells. The reality of human cloning is now but a scientific inch away from permanently altering how humanity values itself. "

Tags:bioethics, genetics, science, ethics

Abstract
This paper argues in favor of genetic research. The author feels that many things that once seemed impossible now seem more possible everyday. Scientists may find a cure for cancer or other diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

From the Paper
"Human gene mapping is a highly advanced scientific topic. It has many current uses, such as treatment for certain diseases, production of energy, and has helped farmers with their crops. Even with all these current uses, The Human Genome Project ultimately lies in the future. There is so much potential in this project. Through the study of genes and proteins, many of the worst diseases such as cancer may be cured. The aging process may be slowed down. There may be new, better forms of energy. People may be identified through DNA fingerprints. Ultimately, Human beings may be created to be smarter and stronger. All these ideas seem unattainable, but the truth is that they are closer to becoming reality everyday."

Tags:gene, genes, genome, human, linking, map, mapping, project

Abstract
This paper analyzes the ethical and moral issues concerning the cloning of human beings. The author touches on some aspects of cloning, how it has developed and its side-effects. The author gives an opinionated argument about the effects that cloning of human beings will have on society's perception of what it means to be a human being, as well as questions about a cloned individual's personal identity, uniqueness, and individuality.

From the Paper
"Recent news that scientists in Scotland had succeeded in cloning an adult sheep ignited a worldwide debate. Of particular concern are the ethical and social implications of the potential application of cloning techniques to produce human beings. The Scottish announcement marked the first time that researchers were able to produce an exact genetic replica of an adult animal."

Tags:cell, genetic, replica, science, identical, copy, embryo, clone, technology

Abstract
This paper examines the debate between the East and West on the issue of safety on genetically modified food. The author looks at the argument concerning the food's safety, and possible effects on the human body, labeling of such products, and how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration use modified foods.

From the Paper
"The world as we know it is divided into two parts---the secular West and the cultural East. Both have different manners of living and while the West blooms in progress the East is more restricted as it looks for the morality and values behind the progress being made. In such a division controversies like genetically-engineered food bring home the difference as both the divides through the globe argue the safety of the food-albeit on different grounds. At the heart of the debate lies the argument that as yet, the effects of genetically modified crops and products on the human body are not known. However, there is no conclusive evidence of whether or not they can be harmful.."

Tags:east, west, FDA, poison, biotechnology, risk, label, population, health

Abstract
Riboswitches are cis-acting RNA control elements that affect the transcription or translation of a certain gene. These have initially been found only in bacteria, but as research continues these are also being found in eukaryotes. This paper describes the main features of riboswitches, as well as the details of some of the known ones. It also mentions a few of the experimental techniques employed in the characterisation and discovery of riboswitches. Outline Introduction General Characteristics of Riboswitches Mechanisms of Gene Expression Experimental Techniques Used in the Analysis of Riboswitches. Conclusion

From the Paper
"The main mechanisms for control of gene expression operate at the level of translation and transcription. Usually, the binding of a metabolite to an aptamer as the nascent mRNA is transcribed locks the aptamer in a specific conformation, which prevents the formation of an alternate conformation that requires a part of the RNA that is yet to be transcribed; this can happen due to the linking of transcription and translation in prokaryotes. If the metabolite does not bind the aptamer, the alternate conformation is free to form either up- or down-regulate the gene. The different types of expression platforms are described below, using examples as appropriate. "

Tags:consensus, control, dna, elements, gene, genetics, genome, leader, molecular, protein, rna, sequence, small, transcription, translation

Abstract
This paper examines how there are two main categories of disease for which therapies are currently being investigated at the molecular level. These two categories of disease are genetic and infectious. It discusses cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy at the molecular level and looks at possible gene therapy treatments.

From the Paper
"Therapies for muscular dystrophies are at the moment only for symptomatic treatment, but advances for curing them are being researched. A pharmacological therapy addresses the pathophysiological changes that lead to muscle cell death. Transplantation therapy involves the transfer of myoblasts from an unaffected donor into the muscle of an affected patient. The myoblasts fuse and become part of the patient's own muscle tissue. Gene therapy uses retroviral, adenoviral and herpes vectors to transfer the correct functional DMD gene into patients. One problem with retrovirus is that they are not big enough to carry the 11kb gene, so it has been found that you can cut out some of the coding region to reduce its size, but without affecting its function."

Tags:gene, mutation, therapy

Abstract
This paper explains, starting from the basics, what genetic engineering actually is, and how it is carried out. It details its uses in society and explains the risks involved and how to overcome them. Ethics and social values are included in the discussion.

Outline
Introduction
Principles of Genetic Engineering
Applications of Genetic Engineering
Hazards and Ethical and Social Implications of Genetic Engineering

From the Paper
"Restrictions have become less severe over the years, and genetic engineering is being applied more and more as public approval is constantly being sought. Nevertheless, this does not diminish the potential dangers of creating transgenic organisms. For example, consider the use of genetically modified organisms - GMO's - in the general environment, such as crop plants. Can such organisms be used safely? Suppose the pollen of these plants are transferred to wild relatives, thus injecting the gene into a different species. These plants may now act as weeds, and if the crop plants were engineered to be herbicide-resistant, then the weed will be similarly so. When a new type of oilseed rape resistant to the herbicide Basta was produced by the Belgian company 'Plant Genetic Systems' in 1994, there were concerns that rapeseed would act as a weed in hedgerows and would be impossible to control with Basta."

Tags:biotechnology, dna, gene, genome, gmo, nucleotide, plasmid, protein, virus

Abstract
This paper discusses how, since the publication of the human genome sequence in 2001, biologists have developed and applied a range of novel technologies in an attempt to extract the valuable biological information encoded within the genome sequence. In particular, it examines they way in which we have set about decoding the human genome to date and provides an insight into some of the progressive new technologies currently under development.

Outline
Objectives and Achievements of the HGP
Computational Biology and Genome Annotation
Comparative Genomics
Functional Genomics
Genetic Perturbations
The Transcriptome
The Proteome
The Interactome
Conclusion: The Rise of Systems Biology

From the Paper
"The objectives of the HGP can be considered as four overlapping goals: 1. The construction of high resolution genetic and physical maps. 2. A high quality, complete genomic sequence. 3. Identification of sequence variation within the human genome. 4. A complete list characterising each and every gene. Both working drafts have achieved almost complete sequencing of the euchromatic DNA in the human genome14. The highly repetitive nature of heterochromatic DNA renders its sequencing difficult and it is unlikely to be well represented even in the final sequence, anticipated by April 2003. To date, the public consortium (IHGSC) report that 75% of the human genome sequence is in "finished" state. That is, a continuous sequence with gaps no larger than 150kb and an expected error rate of less than 1 in 10,000 nucleotides. The public consortium's effort also resulted in a high resolution physical map of the genome, constructed to facilitate accurate assembly of sequenced fragments16. However, the genome sequence itself represents a physical map of the highest possible resolution."

Tags:bioinformatics, organisms, proteomics, transcriptome

Abstract
This paper highlights difficulties with using sequence data to estimate parameters about human ancestral populations, particularly times of specification (when new species evolved). The Y chromosome has been analyzed to infer various parameters about human ancestral populations and to provide clues as to human origins. The paper argues that the individual properties of this data source combined with a burgeoning list of refutable assumptions make any and all of these results utterly spurious. The paper argues that molecular experts claim that the old and imprecise science of paleontology has been superseded by their far more mathematically precise methods. These experts sideline the fact that all their estimates are fundamentally based on paleontologically acquired data. The paper includes illustrations and table.

From the Paper
"The Y-linked SRY gene triggers mammalian male-determining processes when expressed in the embryonic bipotential gonad. Sex chromosomes are thought to have evolved ~300Mya, probably replacing a mechanism based on gestational ambient temperature. Current opinion is that the Y-chromosomal SRY gene and its X-chromosome homologue (SOX3) are variants diverged from an ancestral non-sex-determining gene. When the ancient SRY-precursor gene gained a dominant and penetrant male-determining function the homologues became sex chromosomes and the process of dramatic degeneration and specialization of the Y began. Pseudoautosomal regions (PARs) located at the tips of X and Y recombine at high frequency during male meiosis. Consequently, these regions are similar to autosomal sequences in base composition and gene diversity. PARs comprise 5% of the Y and the other 95% makes up the non-recombining region of the Y (NRY). Recombination deficiency of the NRY is thought to result from lack of homology with the X, due to several large inversions. Null mutations accumulate in NRY genes as they are "sheltered" by X-chromosome homologues."

Tags:biology, genetics, mitochondria, mtdna, nry, sry

Abstract
The following paper examines the isolation of human embryonic stem cells. The author attempts to discover what these cells are and why they are so important. This paper will also take a look at those people that recommend the use of other sources of stem cells for medical reasons.

From the Paper
"This will potentially revolutionize medicine in the next century" (Smith, 1999)1 . The use of stem cells to develop drugs, study human development and provide a limitless supply of customized cells to replace damaged or diseased tissues, without incidence of adverse host reaction has replaced cloning as the perceived future of medical technology. The "Holy Grail" concept revolves around the knowledge that stem cells have the potential develop into any of the body's two hundred and twenty different types of specialized cells. The therapeutic promise of this is that once a stem cell has been isolated, it may reproduce endlessly in undifferentiated state and then be chemically coaxed to develop into any desired adult cell. Stem cells may eventually be used to produce tissues or entire organs specifically designed for their intended recipient. Cellular repair treatments for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases as well as many forms of paralysis, previously irreversible autoimmune conditions, are the most exciting channel for this field of research. The potential uses of these unrestricted cells could even go as far as the generation of massive amounts of human cells (e.g. heart cells) which could be used to screen dozens of potential drugs and pick out the most promising few, without harm to human or animal life."

Tags:medicine, century, drugs, study, human, development, customized, genetics