By: Regina Lapuz (Replichore)
For 34 years, The UPLB Genetics Society has been actively promoting the creative appreciation of the science of Genetics in the Philippines. With the span of time, the organization has innovated several activities in order to do so. One of which is by conducting a week-long activity, the BIO 30 Week, to deepen the understanding of students for the science of Genetics. During the past years, BIO 30 Week’s audience has been the Bio 30 students and the invited high school students. This year, the organization is taking a bold move to expand its reach and involve all students who are taking Genetics courses, who are interested to deepen their knowledge in Genetics and who are yet to discover the field.
With the theme, “Beyond Binary: Exploring the Genetic Realm of the Gender Spectrum”,
BIO 30 Week will feature the genetics behind our sexuality to expound beyond
the dichotomy and reveal the spectral puzzle that defines us, as it aims to
raise awareness regarding sexual and reproductive health which has been
included in the recent advocacies of health agencies in the Philippines and in
the world. It will be held on April 9-13 at the Institute of Biological
Sciences.
Human Sexuality and Genetics
According
to a study by Hamer and Pattatuci, ‘gayness’ may be inherited and linked to the
maternal X chromosome. The study reported that a section on the X chromosome
found at the tip of the long arm, called Xq28, was statistically related to
‘gayness’. A genetic test was conducted to detect a ‘gay gene’ on X chromosome
and out of 40 pair brothers, 33 shared the Xq28 section of chromosome X and 7
did not, signifying that the result was intermediate but statistically
significant for it explains that the gene may influence gayness in males.
Nevertheless, genes don’t solely influence human sexuality since there are
environmental factors that can affect the expression of genes.
About the Exhibit
Every
BIO 30 Week is highly anticipated since it not only conducts thought-provoking
activities but also showcases a diversity of designs which is quite a spectacle
to look at. In this year’s exhibit, the
hallway will be filled with bursting rainbow colors alongside a unicorn as
these represent the core symbols of LGBTQ+ together with its different gender
symbols. Other elements such as clouds, cubes, and pinwheels were added to make
the exhibit look more aesthetic and attention grabbing.
Below
is a glimpse of the line-up of activities to watch out for:
Exhibit Opening and GENEWS Launching. The inaugural of the exhibit includes the
introduction of exhibit design and concept, its concept and the launching of
the organization’s GENEWS on April 10 (Tuesday) at IBS Wing C.
Genetics Quiz Contest. This year, the
organization will hold Genetics Quiz Contest on April 11 (Wednesday) 7-10pm at
the IBLSH Main to cater the event not only to Bio 30 students but also to those
who are taking other genetics courses. Genetics Quiz Contest will cover a wider
scale of topics including: Molecular Genetics, Population Genetics, Qualitative
Genetics, Quantitative Genetics, Cytogenetics, Developmental Genetics, Human
Genetics and Microbial Genetics. The event will aim to continuously promote the
science of genetics and to deepen the appreciation of UPLB students, especially
those who are taking Genetics as their major. The contest newest addition
involves a x2 Multiplier in the Replication round, the presence of a Uracil
molecule in Transcription round and the occurrence of the initiation and stop
codons for Translation round.
Print-All-You-Can. Handouts, reviewers, and other printed
materials are a must have item for every student which is why the organization
held a Print All You Can activity on April 12 (Thu) at the IBS Wing C to allow
the students print for free.
BIO 30 Tutorials. As part of this year’s BIO 30 Week, the
organization will offer the 3rd BIO 30 Tutorials to current BIO 30
students. Similar to previous tutorials, the 3rd BIO 30 Tutorials aims to help
the students grasp the coverage of the exam. The topics to be covered include:
Epigenetics, Mutations, Delayed Chromosomal & Extra-Chromosomal Inheritance
and Quantitative Inheritance. It will be held on April 12 (Thu), 7pm at Room
C-105. Cyrelle Brosoto (Cyclosome), a
4th Year BS Biology-Major in Genetics student and the Officer-in-Charge
of the Documentation Committee of GeneSoc, will be the lecturer for the 3rd
BIO 30 Tutorials.
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