Instruction Initial Post Research and write about a scientist who was at the for
ID: 262764 • Letter: I
Question
Instruction
Initial Post
Research and write about a scientist who was at the forefront of the discovery and understanding of DNA. In addition to the usual biographical details (birthplace, siblings, etc.), talk about what led the person to the path of genetic research: Was it a lifelong dream or happenstance? What fascinated them about the field, or where did they study or with whom? That sort of thing. Do this in less than 200 words and post your story here.
Secondary Post
In this post, consider the ethics of how DNA is used today as well as how it could be used in the future.
If you don't agree with someone's point of view, feel free to post your position and your reasons for disagreeing, but you MUST address your peers and their perspectives respectfully. We are all grappling with these new ideas, and no one person has all of the right answers. Learning to disagree with an idea respectfully, if not kindly, is an important part of scientific discourse.
Explanation / Answer
Initial Post
James Watson, born on April 6, 1928, is one of the co-discoverers of the double-helix structure of DNA in 1953, which he worked upon along with Francis Crick, with the help of Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins. Watson was brought up in South Chicago and considered majoring in ornithology in his early years. However, after reading the book "What is Life?" by Erwin Schrödinger in 1946, Watson became more interested in genetics and considered following genetics professionally. After receiving his BS degree in zoology from the University of Chicago in 1947, Watson enrolled in Indiana University for graduate studies in genetics, mostly because of the presence of 1946 Nobel Prize winner Hermann Muller who made important publications in the area of properties of the heredity molecule, about with Schrödinger wrote in his 1944 book. Watson completed his PhD under his advisor Salvador Luria in 1950 from Indiana University.
His work with his advisor, Salvador Luria, got Watson interested in molecular biology. Salvador Luria worked in the area of genetic mutations, for which he eventually won a Nobel Prize in 1969 (for the Luria–Delbrück experiment). Luria and Delbrück together found the new "Phage Group", which was a collection of genetists interested in enravelling the physical nature of the gene. Being a part of the Phage Group served as an opportunity for Watson to work as a scientist. His projects dealt with the use of X-rays to inactivate bacterial viruses.
After the publication of Linus Pauling's model of the amino acid alpha helix in 1951, which he worked on with the help of X-ray crystallography and molecular model building, Watson became interested in determining the structure of DNA with the help of X-ray diffraction. Luria then arranged for a post-doc project for Watson in England, where he worked in the Cavendish Laboratory with Francis Crick. They discovered the structure of DNA in mid-March 1953.
Secondary Post
Today, DNA is used in various fields for very different reasons. Some of DNA's applications include:
Ehtically, it must be considered that DNA testing is being done only for such professional purposes and not for an ulterior motive. Such information should not be passed over to third party organizations (such as insurance companies and research agencies) without the permission of the person whose DNA is in question. These third party organization (insurance caomparies, for example) may try to streamline their targets based upon such data (that shows the suseptibilty of diseases) and not treat every person equally.
Further, it is very important for the patient and the doctor to discuss the limitations of the test. Everything must be done with the patient's consent, confidentiality on details must be practiced, and the patient must be informed on all details related to the testing. This is very important for the present as well as future scenarios of DNA testing.