Sorry this post is late.... its been a crazy week so I will make this one an easy assignment!
Question #1
Go to the week 2 blog post.... Please comment on any two of your classmates posts. You may have to go look at week 1 because some of your classmates posed their week 2 comments in the wrong place!
Question #2
PLEASE POST YOUR ANSWER ON THE WEEK 3 BLOG AND EMAIL ME A WORK OR GOOGLE DOC COPY!
Please Read Chapter 6 BODY PLANS.... In 1-2 paragraphs explain what the HOX genes or tool kit is and how it functions. What could this type of "gene tool kit" be used for in the medical field? Do you think it is something that we should use or leave alone?
Hox genes are the genes that contain the homeobox, a DNA sequence that is basically identical in every species with a body. These genes control head-to-tail organization of the body. The activity of the gene matches its placement. For example, genes active in the head area are opposite from those active in the tail. Altering the Hox genes affects the animal. Missing Hox genes in the tail area will cause a lack of body parts there. Though different animals have different numbers of Hox genes, the front-to-back activity is the same in animals as varied as mice and flies. Hox genes are to blame for mutations, as they also establish body proportions and organ development.
ReplyDeleteIn the medical field, Hox genes could be used to predict whether or not a baby will be born healthy and "normal"(mutation-free). If we could look at a person's Hox genes before they were born and see if there were any missing or out of order, we could attempt to fix the issue by replacing or reorganizing the genes. This assumes, of course, that we could understand the genes enough to alter them. I think it is a goal worth reaching towards, though. Fully grasping the concept of Hox genes could prevent harmful mutations in children. As with any type of medical experiment, there would be risks, but, in my opinion, the rewards far outweigh the danger.
Part 2:
ReplyDeleteThe HOX genes are genes that contain the DNA sequence, also known as homebox . The homebox is pretty much identical to how the species is. The HOX genes sculpts the head to tail organization of a species body. Every animal with a body has different versions of the HOX gene. In flies and insects there are eight HOX genes while in humans and mice there are thirty nine HOX genes. By playing around with these genes, scientists can predict how the body plan is going to appear. The HOX genes also determine the size and proportion of certain body parts relative to other body parts. These genes also play a large role during development. The HOX genes are important to any animal with a body and by changing or messing around with these genes, it can affect how the body forms.
The HOX genes are used in the medical field to possibly determine if the unborn child is going to be born with any defects, or genetic mutation, or if the child is going to be born normal and healthy. As stated before, if scientist mess around with the HOX gene, they mess around with how the body plan is going to appear. I believe that scientist should use this knowledge to their advantage and expand on the research on controlling the HOX genes. If scientist can figure what is missing in an unborn’s HOX gene, they can prevent a genetic mutation and prevent many birth defects.
The HOX genes is the head-to-tail organization of the body which is under control from this little DNA sequence that appears in every animal with a body. There's different versions of the HOX genes but all versions play the same role in every animal. Stated in the book, "Mess with the HOX genes and you mess with the body plan in predictable ways.(110)" This quote shows how important the HOX genes are to the body structures of animals. With one little change our bodies would be altered in the way they are put together.
ReplyDeleteThis "gene tool kit" could play an important role in the medical field when babies are found to have mutations, birth defects. Since mutations and different kinds of abnormality are arises from some sort of error in the DNA, scientists could find a way to use the little DNA sequence also known as the HOX genes to help discover mutations at earlier stages of the cells. Stated in the book, "Changes in them bring about changes in the way our bodies are put together."(110) With mutations scientists could find a way to alter the cells of the HOX genes to establish the body plan sequence in the normal, without mutation formation, so mutations can be fixed at earlier stages of life. I think this "gene tool kit" could be something that could drastically change someone's life if mutations could be found and fixed in the early stages of a humans life.
Melissa Sybertz Assignment #3 for your inner fish
ReplyDeleteWhen looking at the structures of organisms, such as flies, with abnormalities, scientists found that in the middle of each gene was a short DNA sequence. They call this little sequence a homeobox. There are eight genes that make up the fly’s homeobox. These eight genes are called Hox genes. Hox genes control the head to toe organization of the body. In humans there are four sets of these genes, while in flies there are two sets. The hox genes are both found in the same place as in flies and as in humans. Hox genes are found in every organism with a body. If there is a mix up with these hox genes and something goes awry then you get a problem with the blueprints of the body. For example if there is a fly without a hox gene where it should be you could end up with an arm where an antennae should be or a misshapen body segment or a missing body segment altogether. Changes in the layout of an organism's body are due to changes of the hox genes. Organisms have a different number of these genes, mice have thirty-nine while insects have eight.
The Hox gene was discovered in the 1980s. This type of gene works in order to organize the body’s layout plans as well as development. I think we should definitely use the hox genes because we could possibly learn how to prevent or fix abnormalities in humans. Some people might be concerned about the thought of losing a life when experimenting in science but how are we suppose to improve if we are too afraid to risk things?
The Hox genes are the eight genes that contain the homeobox, which is a short DNA sequence identical to all species that the scientists Mike Levine, Bill McGinnis, and Matt Scott looked at. They later discovered that all animals with a body, including humans, contain some version of the Hox genes. The different Hox genes control the head-to-tail organization of the body, and the number can vary from specie to specie. For example, flies have one set of eight hox genes, while humans have four sets of the genes. The activity of a gene matches where it is on the DNA, and each affect a different part of the body. The Hox genes also establish proportions of our body such as the size of the parts of our head, chest, and lower back. They take part in the development of organs, limbs, genitalia, and guts. If you change the Hox genes, you alter the way the body is put together.
ReplyDeleteThis type of gene tool kit could be extremely helpful in the medical field when it comes to genetic mutations in babies. Before a baby is even born, scientists could be able to look at the Hox genes to check for any mutations in the DNA. If a mutation was found, it could be fixed before the birth of the baby. I think the Hox genes really should be used because they could potentially help stop the amount of babies born with mutations or genetic defects. It might be risky, but I think it would be worth in it the long run.
Alicen Clifford
ReplyDeleteHox genes are the eight genes that have the homeobox. The homeobox is a short DNA sequence. Mike Levine, Bill McGinnis, and Matt Scott looked at these genes and noticed that they were responsible for mutations. Hox genes can occur as different versions “in every animal with a body”. The genes control the front-to-back organization of the body. If you alter the Hox genes when the embryo is still developing, the organism will be missing body parts in that area or they will be changed. For example, if you alter the middle segment in a fly, it will be missing its midsection or be mutated. Hox genes establish the sizes of the regions in our body and control the development of organs.
Since the Hox genes are present in humans, they could be useful to look at while the embryo is still developing. Doctors could look at the gene sequences to see if the child is healthy and whether or not it will have body mutations. Also, I think that if scientists can take a “normal” egg from an animal and mutate it, they could experiment doing just the opposite. They could attempt to take mutated eggs and rearranging the genes so they could be “normal” again. If this could work multiple times in a lab, I think that it could be worth trying out on a mutated embryo instead of just leaving it alone.
The HOX gene is eight genes that contain the homeobox which controls head-to-tail organization of the body. If the HOX genes are messed with, the whole organization and plan of the body will be messed up with predictable outcomes. Versions of the HOX genes are found in every animal with a body. Some animals have a different number of sets. Flies have one set of eight HOX genes while humans have four sets. The activity of the gene coordinates with its position on the DNA. The genes that have to do with the production of the head are at one end, while the genes that product the tail are at the opposite end with the genes that effect the middle in between the head and the tail. HOX genes also establish the proportions of our body parts and are involved in the development of individual organs and limbs. Scientists found similar pieces of DNA involved in the making of more parts of the body which links us to animals very easily.
ReplyDeleteThe HOX genes could be used medically by changing the proportions of the body. In the case of dwarfism for example, scientists could inject more HOX genes in certain areas. They could add multiple HOX genes in the arm to make that portion of the body longer, and they could continue to do this to other parts to make the body normal sized. However, i do not believe that we should use them medically. Bodies should be left how they were originally meant to be. Scientists can do multiple experiments on animal embryos but they do not know how it will react with human specimens.
A HOX gene is eight genes that contain the homeobox. In flies and in people, the HOX gene controls the head-to-tail organization. In flies and in people, the activity of a gene matches its position on the DNA. Genes that are active in the head are positioned at one end, those in the tail are located at the opposite end and genes afflicting the middle lay in between. Some scientists found that versions of the HOX genes appear in every animal with a body. If the HOX genes are messed with than the body is messed with causing the body to appear differently. HOX genes also establish the proportions of our bodies; changes in the genes will bring changes in the size of the body. You could use this gene for testing and experiments on animals. The gene could be changed and then you can see how the animal reacts to it or if the appearance changed. Later on it could be used on humans to fix any abnormal appearances. We should not use the HOX gene because if we mess with it we can mess with the whole body plan.
ReplyDeleteThe HOX genes are a group of genes that work together to create the information about how an organism's body should be arranged. All organisms have different sets of these genes, for example flies have one set of eight HOX genes while mice have thirty nine sets. Despite this, all mammals have these genes and changing the gene in anyway can create mutations within the organism. The genes are laid across the body and the location of each corresponds to the region of the body it "creates".
ReplyDeleteThe HOX genes could ultimately become a medical advancement because it would allow doctors to make sure that a child will be born normal (in the most basic physical sense of the word). However, because this gene also deals with a body's proportion I think it is dangerous to fool with it in the near future. Who knows how many times it will take before scientists perfect the gene, and therefore how many experimental babies will be used and potentially harmed. In the future this may be a great tool, but at the same time who are we to mess with mother nature's design?
Mike Levine, Bill McGinnis, and Matt Scott first discovered this short DNA sequence which was known as a homeobox. Within this homeobox were eight genes known as the Hox gene's. Hox genes control the head to toe organization of the body and can vary in number depending on the organism they lye within for these genes are present in every animal with a body. Due to its presence and function, if an animal lacks a Hox gene, its bodily structure will be altered. For example, as Shubin writes, "If you make a fly that lacks a gene active in a middle segment, the midsection of the fly is missing or altered" (Pg 110). It is crucial that a body properly contain all of its essential Hox genes to form correctly.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, the Hox genes establish a proportional division for the bodies of both humans and animals due to the different sizes of each body part. The hox genes also assist in the development of organs, limbs, and guts within the body which means that if there are changes brought about, the body as a whole must react to these changes as well altering its makeup. As stated briefly in the first paragraph, there are different numbers of Hox genes within different animals. For example, insects and flies have eight whereas mice have thirty-nine. Even though their gene numbers may vary, the genes still complete the same functions as they would had the quantity of them been increased or decreased. This discovery of Hox genes in 1980 opened many new doors for scientists allowing for a better understanding of the body as well as new opportunities to explore other related bodily functions.
The HOX gene contains the homeobox, the DNA structure responsible for mutations. The HOX gene is also responsible for establishing the body's proportions, head to tail organizations, and as well as aiding in the development of organs, limbs, genitalia, and guts. Messing with these genes allows for the manipulations of the body plan. The HOX contains eight genes that are each responsible for a different part of the body. Because the HOX genes allow for the growth of limbs and organs, they could be used in the medical field on embryos with missing limbs and vital organs. Personally, I think that we should use the HOX gene in the medical field, particularly in cases where the embryo would be in danger due to missing organs.
ReplyDeleteThe HOX genes are a set of genes shared by all organisms with a body. They control the development of the animal's body. How active a gene is and how it acts depends on where the gene is located, and what it is supposed to develop into. Different animals have different amounts of HOX genes, but the basic principle for their functions are the same. If you change a HOX gene or remove it entirely, the result will be malformed or missing organs or other body parts.
ReplyDeleteThe HOX genes could be used to predict if a baby is going to be malformed. The geneticists could check the gene activity. I think that they could use stem cells to supplement the missing genes in the future. I don't believe we should use these in the medical field because if a doctor messes up it could have drastic consequences on the person's development.
Hox genes are eight genes that contain the DNA sequence called a homeobox. These genes are responsible for the development of the body from head-to-tail. Not only do Hox genes control the development of certain parts of an animal’s body it also controls body proportions. In any animal if the Hox genes are altered then the animal’s body arrangement will be altered, it could be missing a segment or a portion would be mutated. Every animal with a body has its own version of the Hox genes. The number of Hox genes also varies by animal, for example flies have eight Hox genes,but mice have thirty-nine Hox genes. No matter how many Hox genes a species has they work in the same way to develop the body.
ReplyDeleteIn the medical field they could use the knowledge of the Hox genes to detect any mutations in a developing embryo. If scientists study the Hox genes more and are able to find a way to alter it exactly how they want eventually it could be used to fix mutations. First scientists need to make sure that they can fix abnormalities using the Hox gene in other species before they should try it on a human embryo. For now I think that more research and experiments need to be conducted using the Hox gene before they use it in the medical field. Once it is further studied the Hox gene could be very beneficial to the medical world.
The HOX genes are the genes that contain the sequence which is called a homeobox. The homeobox is the DNA sequence that is responsible for the mutation. Scientists found this by making a population that was filled with this genetic error. In this case, the genetic mutation was flies with organs in the wrong place. Then the scientists compared the fly population’s genes that had the mutation to a fly population’s genes that did not. The scientists then pinpointed the sequence that caused this mutation which was the homeobox. The genes that contain this sequence are called the HOX genes. All animals that have bodies have HOX genes, but they have a different amount of them. If someone was to mess with HOX genes a scientist could predict what the outcome would be. HOX genes sculpt from front to back, the order they appear corresponds to what they sculpt. For example, the first gene helps sculpt the head. HOX genes also help determine the size of the things they sculpt. If a scientist knows where the sequence that causes a mutation is they could try to repair it before birth. In humans they could repair a gene that would cause a mutation so that when a baby was born it no longer had the mutation. Scientists could get rid of a mutation before a baby was even born. I think scientists should start to use it as long as there is not a ton of bad side effects. They could completely alter a person’s life before they were even born. Repairing genes using this knowledge of the HOX genes could make a person’s life better.
ReplyDeleteHOX genes are a set of genes that make up a short DNA sequence called a homeobox. These HOX genes, although first found in flies, where found in all animals with a body. Some animals have different variations or more HOX genes than others. The HOX genes were found to be responsible for sculpting the front to back organization of the bodies of organisms, establish proportions of our bodies, and they are involved in the development of individual organs. Tampering with or mutations to these genes can cause missing body parts or body parts growing in the wrong places. I believe that knowledge about these genes can help doctors in the medical field to fix mutations in the embryos of humans so that there are less birth defects because of errors in the HOX genes. However beyond this I believe that these genes should be left alone because, based on the experiments that were conducted, it seems that unnecessary tampering with the HOX genes can lead to serious developmental problems.
ReplyDeleteThe Hox genes are a short DNA sequence in the middle of each gene identical in each species called a homeobox. The eight genes containing the homeobox are the Hox genes. These genes have many responsibilities. One responsibility of the Hox genes is to sculpt the front to back organization of the body. Every animal with a body contains the Hox genes from mice to flies to humans. Different creatures have different amounts of Hox genes, but they all have the same functions and are similar to one another. The Hox genes also establish body proportions and develop the limbs, organs, and other various body parts. The Hox genes are very important to the development of not only ours, but many other creature's body plans starting with the embryo. It connects us to many other creatures just like us.
ReplyDeleteI think that we should use it in the medical field, however, it should be used carefully and only when completely necessary. It could be beneficial in making sure children are born without mutation. Mutations when found could be altered to make sure that the baby will be born normal. However, it could also cause more hurt than help if used incorrectly. It could not help at all or even make the problem worse. Therefore, it should be used, but with caution and when necessary.
The Hox gene is a gene that exists in every animal that has a body. Hox genes control the organization of the body from head to tail. Each animal has different amount of Hox genes, for example humans have four while flies have eight. The activity of the gene matches its position on the DNA. So genes that are used in the head are on one end of the DNA and genes that are used in the tail are on the opposite end. Missing a gene in the head or tail would cause a lack of body parts there. The Hox gene determines the proportions of our body. For example it establishes the sizes of our head, chest, and lower back. The Hox gene is also involved in the development of things like organs, limbs, and guts.
ReplyDeleteThis “gene tool kit” should be used in the medical field to help predict if a baby will be born with mutations or be mutation free. Even though if you mess with the Hox gene you are messing with the whole body plan, I think scientists should figure out a way to not mess with the gene, but still be able to determine if the baby will have any mutations. Changes in the Hox gene cause changes in our body. Before a baby is born a scientist could look and see if there are any birth defects. If there were a birth defect scientists could figure out how to fix the defect before the baby is born. I think that if scientists discovered how to do this then it would reduce the risk of a baby being born with a birth defect.
#2. The HOX genes are the genes that contain the homeobox which is the gene responsible for mutations. This controls the head-to-tail organization of the body.They were first found in flies, who happy to have eight. But, they were later discovered to be in practically every species that has a body, but in a different version. For example, humans have only four. The position and activity of the gene work hand in hand so the genes active in the tail are completely opposite from those in the tail. Any alteration to the HOX genes can cause mutations. These mutations can include missing body parts or even body parts in the wrong place.
ReplyDeleteIn the medical field, this specific type of “gene tool kit” could be used to ensure that a baby is not born with any mutations and to do anything possible to prevent any mutations. I think it would be beneficial in the medical field, yet dangerous at the same time. Tampering with any HOX genes when not needed could cause mutations that were never there in the first place. I believe it should only be used when necessary and only if it will without a doubt be helpful.
Scientists noticed that the DNA sequence was almost identical in every strand they looked at. They called this sequence a homeobox and the eight genes that contain the homeobox are Hox genes. Every animal with a body has the Hox gene. They establish the proportions of our body. Changes in the Hox gene cause changes in ourselves. In different animals there are a different amount of Hox genes, for example a mouse has thirty-nine and a fly has eight.
ReplyDeleteThis ‘gene tool kit’ has medical uses because it can predict when a child will be born with mutations. If there was a safe way to use the gene to help the children that are going to be born with mutations then I think it is a good idea to use it but it may not be worth the risk. I feel that the Hox gene cold easily lead to even worse issues for many babies that might effect them for the rest of there lives.
The HOX genes are genes that contain the DNA sequence, also referred to as the homebox. This HOX gene is just about identical to how the species is. It sculpts the head to tail organization of a species. Every animal has a different number of HOX genes, for example, in a fly or insect there usually only appear to be about eight and in humans usually thirty nine. With these genes scientists can predict how the body of an unborn child will appear at birth and also, determine the size and proportion of some body parts relative to other body parts.
ReplyDeleteIn the medical field this “gene tool kit” plays a significant role where it can help doctors tell when a baby is planned to be born if it will come into the world with birthday defects or mutations. If scientists do mess around with the HOX genes, it may result in messing around with the way the unborn baby’s body will appear at birth. Although, this could be a frightening measure I think scientists should use this ability to their advantage. If they use this to their advantage and some day finds a cure for birth defects before a child is born, the “gene tool kit” would be the first part to an extravagant step up for human kind.
The HOX genes are the eight genes that contain the homeobox .The homeobox is a head-to-tail organization of the body that is under control by different HOX genes. There are different versions of the HOX genes in each animal with a body, but they have different numbers of HOX genes but they still play the same role, for example mice and other mammals have thirty-nine. It is bad to mess around with these genes. The book states , "Mess with the HOX genes and you mess with the body plan in predictable ways.” The HOX genes are in control of the proportion of our bodies like the sizes of different regions such as our heads. The Hox genes are involved in the development of individual organs, limbs, genitalia, and guts .If there are changes in the HOX genes then there could be changes in the way our bodies may be put together. The “gene tool kit” could be used on children born with birth defects in the medical field, but I also think that messing with it is a bad idea, and it should only be use if it is necessary and if we are positive that it will work, because it could have many bad outcomes.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1.
ReplyDeleteThe HOX gene is a DNA sequence that was alike in all species that scientist have looked at. The sequence is called a homeobox that have eight genes inside called HOX genes. HOX genes are in every animal with a body. The function of a HOX gene is to create parts of the body. If you mess with the HOX genes it causes mutations in the body in predictable ways. The "gene tool kit" could be used to ensure that a baby is not born with mutations and try and prevent these mutations. I do not think that it should be used in the medical field because it would be more dangerous to try and manipulate these genes because they could cause mutations that were never there. It is not worth risking a life to mess with a baby's HOX genes to try and fix something that could end up making things worse.
The HOX genes contain the homeobox, which is a type of DNA responsible for mutations. The HOX controls the head-to-toe organization of the body. Every animal with a body has a version of the HOX gene. In smaller species such as flies, there is only one set of eight of the HOX gene. In humans there is four sets of the HOX gene. This gene also determines the sizes of certain parts of our body such and the chest and parts of our head. The HOX gene is also a part in the production of the limbs and organs of the body. This gene tool kit would be very useful in the medical field where there are many complications with mutations in babies. I think that this would be a very good thing that we should use, especially if it will help reduce the rate of mutations in babies. But with this there is the chance that it could prevent one mutation but then cause another.
ReplyDeleteScientists Mike Levine, BIll McGinnis, and Matt Scott first discovered the HOX genes, eight genes which contain the homeobox, short DNA sequences. The HOX gene is responsible for establishing the body's proportions, head to tail organizations. Every animal has a different number of HOX genes, for example, flies or insects obtain only about eight but in humans usually thirty nine appear. Due to its crucial function, if an animal lacks a HOX gene, mutations will occur.
ReplyDeleteI believe the “gene tool kit” would be a useful and significant addition into the medical field. It could be used to ensure that a baby is born with no mutations, and if mutations are previously detected, could alter them. Although this sounds great, high risks come with this advantage. If scientists do tamper with the HOX genes, it may result in causing mutations that would not have shown up other wise. If they do take a leap of faith and use this life changing “tool”, one day a cure could be discovered for children birth defects.
The eight genes are known as Hox genes which are the genes that contain the homeobox. The Hox gene is responsible for the head-to-tail organization of the body. Every animal with a body has a form of the Hox gene because it is responsible for the layout. The other forms of the Hox gene among different animals perform the same exact way creating a head-to-tail layout. If the Hox gene was to be messed with the body plan would be disrupted and mutated. The Hox genes are also responsible for body proportions such as the head, chest and lower back. They also play a role in the development of organs, limbs, genitalia and guts. Different types of animals have a different number of Hox genes within them. Flies and other insects have eight, mice and other mammals have thirty-nine. However, they are all similar and are versions of each other even though one species might have thirty-one more than the other.
ReplyDeleteThis “gene tool kit” could be used in the medical field on unborn babies that are already known to have birth defects once born. However, this should be an option to parents whether they would want to risk rearranging their child’s Hox genes to prevent the birth defect. Some parents might want to try to help prevent their child from living a difficult life but some might choose to leave their child be and accept who they are. I think it really should be left alone but if some people want to take the risk then why not?
The HOX genes are the genes that contain the homeobox. The homeobox is a short DNA sequence that is identical in every species and is responsible for mutations. Flies have one set of eight HOX genes and humans have four. The head-to-tail organization is controlled by the different HOX genes. When scientists first discovered these genes, they studied other species for them and discovered that all the species had versions of these genes. HOX genes organize the body and establish the proportions of them. They help develop size of the head, chest, and lower back and also help develop body parts such as organs and limbs. HOX genes would be risky to experiment with because they can change the body so easily, but they could have great medical importance.
ReplyDeleteIf we further study the HOX genes we could possibly see if humans and other species will be born with mutations in advance. If we are able to find this out we can possibly prevent mutations with further study. Experiments will be risky because if you mess with these genes you mess with the organization of the body. If we are able to prevent mutations by finding them early on, the risks of experimenting on these genes are worth it. We will never be able to understand the genes fully if we do not research them, and they could have great medical importance. With any medical experiments there are risks, scientists just have to be willing to take them.
Hox genes are a set of genes containing a segment of DNA called the homeobox that can be found in any species with a front-to-back/ head-to-tail body organization. The number of genes present in an animal is specific to its species, but they serve the same purpose in all creatures, from humans to flies. These genes correspond to specific sections of a developing embryo, which means that the manipulation of these genes during early development causes mutations or defects in the corresponding part of the creature’s body later on. For instance, manipulating the Hox genes that correspond to the middle segment of a fly’s body in a fly embryo could cause the middle segment of that fly’s body to be absent as an adult.
ReplyDeleteHox genes can potentially be used in the medical field to determine whether a child will be born with or without serious defects or mutations, as well as being used to correct these mutations if they are present. Although this process could have serious flaws, and even minor issues with this potential practice could have serious consequences, I believe that the benefits would outweigh the risks.
The HOX genes or the tool kit is essentially a set of genes in a DNA sequence that appears in every animal that has a body. These HOX genes sculpt the front to back structure that all animals with a body have. Unlike other genes in different species of animals, the HOX genes in every species has the same role, to organize the body in a uniform structure. When scientists discovered these genes, by studying mutations of limbs in the wrong places in flies, they searched to see if other animals had the same genes that organized their bodies and limbs. They found that every animal with a body had these sets of genes, all strung together parallel to the DNA strands that corresponds with a certain section or part of the body. In addition, the HOX genes establish proportions of sections in the body, such as the head, chest and lower back. Further study could produce medical advancements using this set of genes.
ReplyDeleteIn the medical field, this gene set could be used to try and predict if babies will be born with birth defects. By comparing a possible mutated babies genes with a to be healthy babies genes, you might be able to see,and might be able to stop a mutation. My opinion however, would be to leave this alone. While it would be nice for everyone to be born perfect all the time, it isn't natural and shouldn't be tampered with. Also, with science being so new to the possibility, it might do more harm than good to be tampering with something that we know so little about.
Assignment #3
ReplyDeleteQuestion #2
Hox genes are eight genes that contain the DNA sequence called the homeobox. Hox genes control the way that the head and tail of an orgasmism look. Humans have four sets of these genes and insects, such as flies, have eight. Scientists found that these genes appear in any animal with a body. If you were to change one of these genes you would change the structure of the body. Hox genes establish the proportions of the body. Messing with these genes could alter a body severely. I am not sure if we should attempt to use Hox genes for medical advancement. It could be dangerous to alter the body. But at the same time, there may be many unknown things we could do with Hox genes. We could find things that would help the advancement of modern medicine greatly.
The HOX genes are a series of eight genes that contain the homebox. These genes contain the information to create the head to tail formation of the body. If a part of the homebox was missing or in the wrong order, it could result in a mutation or deformity of the body. A child could be born without all ten fingers, or they could have extra. The HOX genes have a strict formation, and any deviation from that formation can have harsh consequences.
ReplyDeleteIf the HOX genes could be used as a “gene tool kit”, mutations could be prevented before children were born. Scientists` could pinpoint an abnormality before a baby was born, and eliminate that problem so the baby could be born normal. No one would have to go through life with disabilities. However, in my opinion, the risks far outweigh the potential advantages. In order for the ability to manipulate the HOX genes to be perfected, there would have to significant testing. Since this testing would have to be done on humans, there would inevitably be lives lost and lives ruined through failed experiments.
Hox genes contain a DNA sequence that’s nearly the same with all other things that have a body; otherwise known has the “homeobox.” The activeness of this gene matches its location in different areas of the body. If this gene was altered or happened to change, the animal will become impaired. Some animals may be missing this gene in a certain area of the body and if that were to happen there would be missing body parts in this area.
ReplyDeleteIn the medical field, humans can actually use this Hox gene. The way in which we could use it in the medical field is that we may be able to prevent humans from being born with birth defects. By looking at these genes we may be able to rearrange them or reorder them to prevent a mutation. I think this is something that we should definitely do. No person on earth should be born without a limb, the ability to see, or even the ability to hear. Just imagine if that was your child being born with a birth defect or a mutation. I would not want that and I’m sure you wouldn’t either; to me, that’s why this should be a goal to pursue. Certainly if we could prevent birth defects in our children or even some of them for that matter, that would be an achievement unlike any other.
3) Hox genes are a group of genes that contain the homeobox. The homeobox is very identical in all species. This specific structure of DNA is responsible for mutations. Hox genes control the head-to-tail organization of the body, whether in a fly or a human. Hox genes play a major role in the development of an emnryo in its early stages. They play a role in developing organs and limbs.
ReplyDeleteThis gene tool kit could be used to fix an unborn child of its mutation if it has one. I believe that this could be very risky, and it might go against some peoples moral values. However, I do believe that it could work and be very useful.
Part Two –
ReplyDeleteThe Hox genes contain a homeobox, which is a small sequence of DNA that is almost the same in all animals with bodies. These Hox genes control the formation of the front-to-back set-up of the bodies of all species with the genes, including flies and people. The position of the active genes in bodies of flies and people correlate with their positions in the DNA. For example, genes that affect the head of a fly lie at one end of the DNA, while genes active in the anus of the fly are located at the other end of the fly. In addition to the formation of body organization, Hox genes also control the sizes of our body parts. Though the number of Hox genes varies between some animals, the genes of all animals are active in a similar order.
In the medical field, these genes could be used in lifesaving ways. Assuming that doctors know enough about the Hox gene, they could examine those genes active in the embryos of babies. If we could see a potential problem in the layout or order of Hox genes, the problem(s) could hopefully be fixed. With this solution, the mutations of newborns could be prevented. If doctors could the genes to the advantage of the human race, then why wouldn’t they? It only seems right that we use our knowledge to help people before they are born with undesired complications.
1. Hox genes are the eight genes that contain the homeobox, or the short sequence within the DNA found in the mutant flies.The Hox gene controls the head to tail organization of the body. These genes come in sets, humans having 4 of them. What the gene does affects its position on a DNA strand. For example, genes that are active in the head lie at one end and those in the tail lie at another. Genes active in the middle of the body live in between somewhere.
ReplyDeleteMedically/scientifically there are endless games one could play with the "Hox" gene. One could create an ideal basketball player, customize their children, and people could even be designed and created for a specific purpose. In my opinion, I think that how you were born is how you were born and changing or altering natural occurences could cause major trouble that is hard to imagine in the world we live in today. Allowing people to sculpt other people is interesting, and call me a sceptic, but something this radical should only be used in rare situations.
Andrea Damon
ReplyDeleteAugust 6, 2013
Part Two:
The HOX genes are the genes that contain the homeobox. The homeobox is a DNA sequence that is seen identical in every animal with a body. It was first discovered when Levine and McGinnis, who were looking at the body plans of flies, noticed the short DNA sequence in the middle of each gene. This sequence is universal in all animals. The differences in the HOX genes are in the quantity, which matches with the size of the animal; flies have eight HOX genes while mice have thirty-nine HOX genes. The organization of our body, particularly from head-to-tail, is controlled by the HOX genes. The placement of the gene corresponds with the activity of the gene. When something unusual happens to the HOX genes, you will get an unusual consequence in the formation of the body of the animal; mess with the HOX genes located at the top of the animal and the top of the animal will be altered. The size of the organs within our body is also under the control of the HOX genes. If they do their job correctly, the organs will be proportionate to each other for the size of the body, leading to a properly functioning body.
The HOX genes, the “gene tool kit”, could be useful in the medial field in the way that it could predict how a creature would turn out when born. If a baby is born with any mutations or medical defects, scientists could trace it back to the DNA sequence. Scientists have learned through many experiments that if the DNA of a section of the body is messed with, the outcome will show changes. These changes could be wonderful or deadly. The HOX genes allow the scientists to know beforehand if there is a mutation in the DNA, and possibly fix it before it is too late. I believe that it is something we should explore and use because of the endless possibilities it has. As I said before, it could possibly stop a new born from having any deadly mutations. On the other end, scientists could purposely try to alter the DNA sequence to further improve the human body. This information is something we should not ignore, and could be even more useful in the future.
AP Biology Chris Leavitt
ReplyDelete“Your Inner Fish” By Neil Shubin 8/8/13
(Late with your permission due to visit to William and Mary)
Assignment #3: Chapter 6
-Chapter 6: The Best-Laid (Body) Plans
Part Two: In 1-2 paragraphs explain what the HOX genes or tool kit is and how it functions. What could this type of “gene tool kit” be used for in the medical field? Do you think it is something that should be used or left alone?
Part Two Answer:
The HOX genes or genetic tool kit are a sequence of eight genes that contain the homeobox. Discovered by Eddie De Robertis and partially by Mike Levine, Bill McGinnis, and Matt Scott in the 1980s, the HOX genes are common and identical in just about every animal or organism with a body. Somehow, throughout evolutionary history, humans developed the same homologous HOX genes as a fruit fly for example. HOX genes or genetic toolkits are eight genes or an eight gene sequence of DNA that controls head-to-tail organization. In the eight gene DNA sequence there is one master gene that controls the other seven genes and as the embryo develops the genes are instructed by each other to lay out basic body forms, and essentially order the anatomy of each organism correctly. These HOX genes are essentially developmental control genes in the early embryonic stage that are involved in establishing the anterior-posterior axis of the body of organisms, or in other words correctly making the front and back of the body of just about every organism. Unfortunately, mutations can happen when these genes are at work. There could be too much of the gene in an area and not enough in the other which could lead to the wrong placement of a body part or even too many of a single body part. Sometimes mutations can be helpful and lead to evolutionary change as history has shown.
This type of “gene toolkit” has great potential in the medical field and is definitely something that should be used. However, it should definitely be explored and researched more thoroughly because it is very risky and important information and material to tangibly deal with, and without proper knowledge there are many situations that could go awry. There is no question though that this type of “gene toolkit” could be used to prevent say birth defects. This could be done by keeping a blueprint of what a “normal” HOX gene sequence is, and comparing the blueprint to other babies in early embryonic stages that might have a mutation. This could help prevent birth defects and harmful mutations, given that there were people qualified to actually handle such embryonic problems. I also feel as though using this type of “gene toolkit” in the medical field could also lead to advancements that could actually make the human race and even other creatures better suited. The possibilities are endless, however there are many risks to tampering with such an important aspect in the development of just about every creature with a body. This type of “gene toolkit” should definitely be used in the medical field and it will be interesting to see how its uses take off in the future of medicine.