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The 'thread of life', is deoxyribonucleic acid, otherwise known as DNA. It is the spiral shaped molecule found in the nucleus of cells. Scientists have known since 1952 that DNA is the basic substance of heredity. This was hypothesized, and later confirmed by James D. Watson and Francis Crick. They also know that it acts like a biological computer program over 3 billion bits long that 'spells' out instructions for making the basic building blocks of life. DNA carries the bodies genetic code, controls the development of an embryo, is capable of duplicating itself, and is able to repair damage to itself. DNA can be manipulated to change all kinds of things. All DNA molecules consist of a linked series of unites called nucleotides. Each DNA nucleotide is composed of 3 subunits: a 5 carbon sugar called deoxyribose, a phosphate group that is joined to one end of the sugar molecule, and one of several different nitrogenous bases linked to the opposite end of the deoxyribose. There are 4 nitrogen bases called adenine, guanine, thymine, and cytosine. In DNA adenine pairs with thymine and guanine with cytosine. Medicine's ability to diagnose continues to exceed its ability to treat or cure. For example, Huntington's Chorea is an inherited disease that develops between the ages of 30 and 45, can be diagnosed before any symptoms appear. This can be hard for both the individuals with the disease and their family. There is a 3 billion dollar project underway right now called the Human Genome Project, a 15 year program to make a detailed map of every single gene in human DNA. With automated cloning equipment to steer scientists through the DNA, scientists are finding human genes at the rate of more than one a day. This may not sound like very much but as technology increases the rate at finding them will increase. Since January 1993 to January 1994 scientists have located the genes for Huntington's disease, Lou Gehrig's disease, and the 'bubble-boy' disease. Scientists are expected to find the first breast cancer gene any week now. Even with the best tools of today, the progress is full of surprises. Human DNA is not like that of plants, in which the trait of color of a flower is determined by one gene. Even the color of a human eye can involve the interaction of several genes. Some complex genes, such as cystic fibrosis, can go wrong in any number of places. Scientists have already accounted for 350 places where the cystic fibrosis gene mutates, and more are being uncovered weekly. Many environmental factors, some physical, other's chemical, can alter the structure of a DNA molecule. A mutation occurs when such alterations lead to a permanent change in the base sequence of a DNA molecule. Mutations result in an inherited change in a protein synthesis. DNA is damaged by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. The DNA does have the ability to repair it self, however. DNA can also be used to match suspects in a crime. Each person's DNA is different from everyone else, except in the case of identical twins in which it is identical. By comparing substances left at a crime scene (blood or semen samples) law enforcement agencies are able to match the DNA at the crime scene with a certain suspect. A recent example of this is the O.J. Simpson case, in which the lawyers are trying to match up O.J.'s DNA with the DNA in the blood found at the crime scene. Many questions have been raised by a number of people and scientists about the ethics of DNA research. It was once feared that the insertion of a disease causing substance could cause a deadly epidemic in the general population upon accidental release. But, since 1973 when they first used the technique it has been transferred thousands of times without any of the feared catastrophes occurring. But, still there are many questions remaining to be answered. Is it right for people to change their babies' eye color, or any other aspect of their baby? Should employers be allowed to see your DNA, to see if you are at risk for a certain disease? Keywords: thread life deoxyribonucleic acid otherwise known spiral shaped molecule found nucleus cells scientists have known since that basic substance heredity this hypothesized later confirmed james watson francis crick they also know that acts like biological computer program over billion bits long that spells instructions making basic building blocks life carries bodies genetic code controls development embryo capable duplicating itself able repair damage itself manipulated change kinds things molecules consist linked series unites called nucleotides each nucleotide composed subunits carbon sugar called deoxyribose phosphate group joined sugar molecule several different nitrogenous bases linked opposite deoxyribose there nitrogen bases called adenine guanine thymine cytosine adenine pairs with thymine guanine with cytosine medicine ability diagnose continues exceed ability treat cure example huntington chorea inherited disease develops between ages diagnosed before symptoms appear this hard both individuals with disease their family there billion dollar project underway right human genome project year program make detailed every single gene human automated cloning equipment steer scientists through scientists finding human genes rate more than this sound like very much technology increases rate finding them will increase since january january have located genes huntington disease gehrig bubble expected find first breast cancer gene week even best tools today progress full surprises like plants which trait color flower determined gene even color involve interaction several genes some complex such cystic fibrosis wrong number places have already accounted places where cystic fibrosis mutates more being uncovered weekly many environmental factors some physical other chemical alter structure molecule mutation occurs when such alterations lead permanent change base sequence mutations result inherited change protein synthesis damaged exposure ultraviolet light does ability repair self however also used match suspects crime each person different from everyone else except case identical twins which identical comparing substances left crime scene blood semen samples enforcement agencies able match crime scene certain suspect recent example simpson case which lawyers trying match blood found scene many questions been raised number people about ethics research once feared insertion causing substance could cause deadly epidemic general population upon accidental release since when they first used technique been transferred thousands times without feared catastrophes occurring still there many questions remaining answered right people their babies color other aspect their baby should employers allowed your risk certain Keywords General: Essay, essays, termpaper, term paper, termpapers, term papers, book reports, study, college, thesis, dessertation, test answers, free research, book research, study help, download essay, download term papers