The Fields in Genetics and their Importance to Society

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Image taken from: geneticliteracyproject.org


Compiled by: Sean Lemuel L. Santos (Hybrizyme)
         
          The field of genetics has made great strides in shaping the society that we live in today. From gene therapy to genetic engineering, genetics played a very crucial role in solving the greatest problems of humanity. In this article, we compiled several insights from various genetics professors in the University of the Philippines–Los Banos on the importance of the fields in genetics to our society.

Quantitative Genetics

“Traits that are controlled by many genes and highly affected by the environment are called quantitative traits. These traits are studied in Quantitative Genetics. Traits like height and obesity in humans are examples of quantitative traits. Height is controlled by many genes and can be affected by nutrition and health condition while the child is growing. Obesity can also be affected by nutrition and lifestyle. Obesity results from a complex interaction between diet and physical activity. How important is quantitative genetics in humans? If the genes for obesity are present in your family, then you need to regulate your food intake and at the same time regular exercise is a must. If you want to have taller children, find someone who is taller than you. Provide your child proper nutrition, good health condition and expose your children to proper physical activity. Multiple genes + environmental factors = quantitative traits.”
                                                             – Dr. Merlyn S. Mendioro
Director, Institute of Biological Sciences
University of the Philippines-Los Banos

Microbial Genetics

“Microbes, being excellent model organisms for biochemical and genetic studies, have made enormous contributions to various aspects of basic and applied sciences. Through rapid advancements in microbial genetics, novel research strategies have given rise to new applications that have a positive impact on humans and society. Some applications include new methods of treating or preventing diseases through drug discovery and gene therapy, solving world hunger by increasing agricultural and livestock productivity through development of high-yield and/ or drought- / flood-resistant plant varieties and disease-free animals, and establishing a sustainable, carbon-neutral energy production systems.”
– Dr. Walter A. Laviña
Microbiology Division
Institute of Biological Sciences, UPLB

Population Genetics

“Since population genetics attempts to estimate the amount of variation present in a population, predict its pattern and changes overtime, population genetics is actually at the core of evolution and speciation. This allows us to understand how individuals in a population adapt in their environment and their chance of survival in the event of natural selection.”

– Prof. Joan Christine O. Adajar
Genetics and Molecular Biology Division
Institute of Biological Sciences, UPLB

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