Mariam Gogodze,
Bio 1101 Lab
We could all agree on the fact the everyone is different and everyone has their own lifestyle and their own perception on life. There are millions of mysteries out there in the world, among humans as well as nature and the world phenomena. Medicine has progressed unbelievably and noticeably in the past years. So why is it so hard to treat or even find the cause of the diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and psychiatric disorders. If we know how the body works, and how our cells work, why is it almost impossible to prevent these horrific diseases that turn people’s lives around?
After years of research scientist have discovered a major medical and scientific outbreak. They found out that human genome is full of gene switches that exist in pieces of DNA that once were rejected and considered as junk. But little did we know that they play crucial and huge role in controlling behavior of cells and organs. Many spread and complex diseases appear to be caused by small changes in hundreds of gene switches. The study involves 440 scientists from 32 laboratories from all around the world, that work and will continue working on this idea. Their main concern and question is to find ut how changes in non-gene parts of the DNA contribute to disease progression.
Scientists also discovered that most of the “junk” of DNA is needed and active. Scientists compare this study to the “Google Maps” and “Google Earth”, due to the fact that these programs only show you the directions and the map to the destination, but they do not show you the exact weather, time period and conditions in that place of matter. Human DNA is much more active than scientists have expected. Any slight change in human DNA sequence, and a human is under a risk of having multiple sclerosis, lupus, celiac disease and Crohn’s disease. It is the switches in the DNA that affect and trigger the diseases, it is most certainly not the change of the genes themselves.
This research would not only show and portray, perhaps cure for the diseases, it could also portray and show the genetic changes that trigger and cause cancer. They discovered that in cancel cell DNA, most of the changes were not in genes, they were in the dark matter. For instance in prostate cancer, the group found mutations in significant genes, that aren’t readily attacked by drugs.
This project has began back in 2003 and it has taken the group that long to find and publish their discoveries. But they are still searching and they believe that these experiments and observations will give a huge push forward for science. Before the experiment it was believed that only 5-10% of human’s DNA was being used, little did anyone know that more than 80 % of DNA is being put to use.
Alas, this study is taking a bit too long, but with time it will help to discover and help and perhaps even prevent outbreaks of cancer and other life threatening diseases. It is most certainly a project worth working for.
Citation: Bits of Mystery DNA, Far From ‘Junk,’ Play Crucial Role
