BIO 3O Week: Plunging into a Continuum of Gender Dimensions

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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