We all Wear the same Genes

Dr. Marcotte and hiscolleagues at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered hundreds of genes involved in human disorders by looking at distantly related species.

They have found genes associated with deafness in plants, for example, and genes associated with breast cancer in nematode worms.

We share many similar genes and gene clusters with a diverse array of plants and animals. This takes evolution and homology to new territory.

"To their surprise, the scientists discovered 48 modules shared by plants and people. “There was a lot of screaming in the halls for that one,” Dr. Marcotte said."

Evolution by Intelligent Design

Evolution by Intelligent Design



So I guess we're very close to altering our own genetic makeup now. Thanks to the work of scientist like Mario Capecchi of the University of Utah, Sir Martin Evans of Cardiff University in Wales, and Oliver Smithies of the University of North Carolina.

They proved in 2007 with their Nobel Prize–winning work on mice, that it's possible to alter the genetic makeup of newborn mice, by turning on and off genes through selectively adding or deleting stretches of DNA in the (artificially) fertilized cell. Scientists could knock out genes for a disease like diabetes or insert genes coding for extra height or intelligence.

We are getting into Kurzweil / Gattaga / Brave New World Territory now. I wonder if in our lifetimes, say the next 50 years, we will have to face questions about whether or not to give our children intelligence enhancing chromosomes.