From Genetics 101 to the causes of Multiple Sclerosis a dozen ABSW members had a fine day at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics (WTCHG) last Friday.

In 2000 the genetic equivalent of the race to the moon decoded the first human genome. Like the space race, the task cost millions and stretched the available technology to its limits. But according to folk at WTCHG, this price will fall to £100/person in the next four to five years. Genetically engineered pore-proteins embedded in artificial membranes emit electronic signals as nuclear material pass through. Stabilise these in silicon chips and you can screen huge amounts of genetic material cheaply and quickly.


So what is this gene screening revealing? We heard from Prof. George Ebers how rational but wrong assumptions about inheritance delayed understanding the causes of Multiple Sclerosis. We were given a classic accounts of scientific detective work which can now start to explain why Scotland is the world MS capital.

Then Dr. Silvia Paracchini told us about the search for a dyslexia gene and findings that relate 'dyslexia genes' to incompetent glial cells failing to support neurone migration into the cortex.

We finished with Prof. Julian Savulescu telling us that we would soon be able to screen our embryos for character traits like impulsiveness, and that as such traits are correlated with social failure, we should screen out such individuals. When accused of promoting eugenics Prof. Savulescu said he was, but that the difference between his position and the Nazi's is he thinks eugenic decisions should be voluntary. He was not met with universal approval.

We were transported from the railway, fed, and shown the labs. It was a really interesting day, many thanks to Zoe McDougall for arranging it all.

 
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