Decoding Life: Unraveling The Mysteries of the Human Genome

Have you ever imagined that the growth and development of all life forms on Earth are controlled by tiny pieces of genetic material located inside each and every cell of any organism? These tiny pieces are called genomes which are made up of deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA that are located on the chromosomes inside the nucleus of the cell.

Over this past winter break, I read Decoding Life by Ron Fridell, a book that is short yet densely packed with information on everything there is to know about genetics and it's implication in passing different characteristics from one generation to the next. Every creature has its own unique genome but the basic structure of all creatures' genetic material is the same. It also discusses targeting the mutated genes that are responsible for genetic diseases and genetic malformations, future possibilities for making designer babies and even cloning mammals. But the most important topic that this book covers is the work on the development of gene therapy, which could cure genetic diseases and some types of cancer in the future. Another vital idea is to use stem cells in replacing damaged cells instead of fixing it with gene therapy. This book also talks about how scientists believe that aging is the result of the telomeres at the tips of chromosomes, being used up and when this happens, the cell becomes aged thus stops dividing and dies.

In writing this book, I think Ron Fridell was trying to update the public on the very important advancements going on in the current world of genetics.

This genomic revolution leaves scientists with moral and ethical dilemmas that may never be resolved. After all, they have to weight the benefits and the risks involved in altering human genomes.