Genome Blog #10 Instinct

Ridley talks about how the determinist thinks about human behavior. Ridley suggest that genetic determination of human instinct is much more probable.The gene in Chromosome 7 has been linked to a disorder called Specific Language Impairment. Recent study of English family with a history of the inherited disorder, Canadian Myrna Gopnik suggest that Specific Language Impairment interfere with the physical act of speaking, but instead interfere with the ability to learn the rules of grammar. Patients with Specific Language Impairment can communicate with others but must have a much larger vocabulary because of the lack of internalized grammar.

Genome Blog #9 Stress

Ridley says that this gene is located in the chromosome number 7. The brain, the body, and the gene are locked in constant. The gene CYP17 is located in chromosome number 10 is responsible for the synthesis of an enzyme that enables the body to convert cholesterol to cortisol,to  testosterone, and to oestradiol. Cortisol, is released when the brain signals stress and sets off a long chain triggers, switching genes on and off thus causing other genes to be switched on or off constantly. Ridley compares the world to the human body, which is full of intricate interconnected systems with no control what so ever. Ridley concludes that there are no logical explanation for the correlation between steroids and immune system suppressions.

Genome Blog #8 Personality

Ridley explains that in chromosome number 11, the gene D4DR is a blueprint for a dopamine receptor, and the gene is switched on in only in certain parts of the brain. Dopamine is a emotional chemical, which lacking of this chemical will make an individual lethargic or immobile. Dean Hamer's result  of studying D4DR relates with "novelty-seeking" behavior.  36 percent is heritable, and the rest is environmental. Meaning that there are over 500 heritable genes that control behavior. Therapists found out that depathologizing people's personalities and telling them that their personality is innate instead of some who learned flaw helped them to improve their self-esteem. Personality and behavior can also be influenced by diet, such as cholesterol intake. Antisocial and depressed people resulted in lower cholesterol levels.

Genome Blog #7 CURES

Ridley talks about the genetic manipulation, he uses the example of an event that occurred in 1972. Paul Berg in 1972 created the first artificial "recombinant" DNA by mixing and arranging restriction enzymes and ligase. Ever since that experiment, several other labs have used recombinant DNA where a retrovirus would be lose its infectious genes then get replaced with a desired gene and finally get injected into the body directly trying to cure various diseases through gene therapy such as hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, and cancer. Ridley ends the chpter with the possibilities of human cloning with genetic improvement through the use of embryonic stem cells and recombinant DNA is possible.