Human Genome Project Archives

The Genetic Truth

In Michael Gershon's book THE SECOND BRAIN Gershon delves into how researchers are using new tools to find answers to the complexity of the neural network found in the intestinal tract One of many of these new tools involves genetic manipulation.

I wanted to share an exerpt from his book since, from time to time, there have been discussions on this board of genetic pheno-types and tbe probability that a single gene can be responsible for determining things like metabolism and in turn, dietary needs. The idea has been put forward that gene researchers currently pulling apart the human genome are going to find singular genes that are like on and off switches in regard to how they effect our physiology.

These same researchers have shown that this concept is a terrible over-simplification, yet one that persists, even among scientists that should know better.

"The ability to knock out virtually any gene an investigator chooses to delete has had a revolutionary effect on developmental biology. For a long time birds and worms had seemed to be the animals of choice for studies of developing systems. Bird embryos are accessible and amenable to surgical manipulation, while worms are simple, have small nervous systems, and every one of their nerve cells is known. The ability to pick the characteristics one wants an animal to inherit, however, is at least as potent and advantage has any of these properties. Mice have thus acquired an admiring constituency of scientists. The gene knockout technique, however, it is full of surprises. Many genes that were confidently thought to be absolutely essential for life, or at least for some critical function, have been knocked out with no discernible consequences. The ability of genes to compensate for the loss of their fellows is prodigious. Take out one gene and others may find a different way to accomplish what the knocked-out gene used to do. In other instances, compensation does not occur, but a function is lost that was not previously suspected to require the expression of the knocked out gene. Experiments that involve playing games with mouse genes are thus not good for people who like to live predictable lives".

Follow Ups:

• Re: The Genetic Truth (Archive under human genome.) Walt Stoll 16:58:25 3/31/99 (0)

In Reply to: The Genetic Truth posted by Robert McFerran on March 30, 1999 at 20:33:58:

Thanks, Bob.

Wonderful stuff. I hope everyone reads this note.

Namaste` Walt