Earth Science: Genetics and Heredity
After Gregor Mendel made the first fundamental discoveries about the inheritance of genetic information some 150 years ago, many further questions about genome functioning and structure could be answered. Within a relatively short period of time humans have gained much valuable knowledge about fundamental molecular processes involved in gene expression, mutations, and genetic diseases.
Today scientists are able to target and manipulate certain genes of many organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. This ability provides new opportunities, for example the possibility of producing synthetic insulin using genetically modified microorganisms.
However, it also bears risks and raises fundamental questions about the ethics of genetic manipulation.