Geneticists Information Resources
Geneticists
Geneticists devote their lives to the study of genes and to decoding DNA
sequences. They study how genes are duplicated and passed from one
generation to another (heredity). They also study the effects of mutation on
genes and the natural selection process that results in species evolution.
The expression of genes into cells and entire organisms, are also the focus
of a geneticist as well as studying how characteristics of these organisms
can be manipulated. Geneticists have engineered innovations such as the
frost-resistant tomato or insect-repelling corn. Geneticists also work
alongside forensic scientists when trying to establish guilt in crimes, and
with historians to map ancient migration routes and discovering links
between ancient fossil species and the lines of evolution.
Intensive study is required to become a geneticist. After completing the
undergraduate degree another four to six years of study are required in
order to gain the PhD qualification. Many geneticists also continue their
study after this time, undertaking post-doctoral research.
There are numerous areas of specialisation within the field of genetic
research including: medical geneticists, clinical geneticists,
cytogeneticists, developmental geneticists, human geneticists, molecular
geneticists and population geneticists. Those in medical and clinical
specialisms are likely to take a hands-on approach to dealing directly with
physicians and patients who suffer from genetic disorders.
Cytogeneticists
study the chemical organization and molecular function of chromosomes.
Developmental geneticists study the reproduction of cells, tracing the
development of an organism from a single fertilised cell through to full
development. Human geneticists study gene inheritance and gene dysfunction
in individual groups, whereas population geneticists study inheritance
through entire populations, focusing upon natural variation and evolution.
Finally, molecular geneticists investigate gene transmission at a molecular
level and research mutation of genes.
Geneticists have sometimes come under fire for their scientific discoveries
and development of breakthrough treatments. The Pope (Benedict XVI) has
condemned genetic science arguing that they will ‘modify the very grammar of
life as planned and willed by God’. During the Good Friday meditations in
2006, the pope went on to say: ‘Today we seem to be witnessing a kind of
anti-Genesis, a counter-plan, a diabolical pride aimed at eliminating the
family’.
Clearly any scientific discovery is liable to religious criticism,
but the magnitude of the pope’s comments were somewhat surprising; however,
geneticists seem particularly prone to receiving religious and media
criticism. Indeed geneticists and their work are treated with suspicion,
until viable treatments are developed from their discoveries.
A recent achievement by geneticists was the announcement that the aging
process had been substantially slowed down in laboratory experiments,
meaning organisms lived six times longer than normal. Single-celled
organisms were utilised as the test subjects of the experiments. The
researchers were able to slow the aging process by making the organisms more
resilient to cell damage that leads to aging.
They have shown that the
organisms developed far fewer genetic defects than would normally be
expected. In humans, cancer can develop later in life due to this kind of
cell damage, so clearly the research has potential applications in the field
of oncology. |
