TKS Genomics Module Wrap Up

I finished the TKS Genomics Module and wanted to give you guys a little overview of it.

What is Genomics? I recently did a module on Connectomics, which is the science of mapping out the brain. Genomics is the science of mapping out a genome, which is made up of genes and DNA, which are the building blocks of you.

Some applications of this field are in various places. One example is in healthcare. When we have diseases in our body, they can be identified by a mutated gene. By being able to identify where and how that gene is mutated, we can use personalized medicine to target it to the best of our ability to give you the best results and success rate.

Another application involves Genomics and gene editing. GMOs (genetically modified organisms), are possible because of our understanding of the genome and the technology for gene editing like CRISPR. The application is that we use gene editing and the map of the genome to determine how we want to modify foods or animals to have specific traits that are desirable (longer shelf life, built in pesticides, faster and larger growth rate, endure extreme weather, etc.). CRISPR technology uses CAS-9, a gene in your body to protect you from viruses, and reprograms it to target unwanted genes instead. Once that gene is cut off, scientists can then replace it with a new gene and have it get accepted by the rest of the genome. Eventually, this technology could even be used in humans, although we are very far from that still.

As exciting as these technologies and sciences are, they come with many ethical issues. Some people find it wrong to tamper with our ecosystems and nature. Some are worried of speeding up virus evolution and even finding new variants. Others are worried about less nutritional value in our food products in these GMOs. If the possibility of changing humans and giving them better traits is in process of being thought about, then what would stop humans from artificial selection in their own species? I have a whole LinkedIn post about some of these ethical issues here.

That’s the recap of the Genomics module. Keep watching my LinkedIn and blog for more updates!

Header image credit: https://lnkd.in/gSqURqxK