Introduction
Deoxyribonucleic Acid which is commonly referred to as DNA is the nucleic acid that is used in the study of the genetics of the development and the functioning of almost all living organisms with an exception of a few viruses. DNA contains the instructions that are used in the development of living organisms. It is important to note that DNA is only applicable to the known living organisms and some known viruses. It can be compared to a code, blueprints, or recipe because the instructions it contains are applied in the making of other cell components which include the RNA molecules and proteins. The segments of DNA which hold the genetic information are known as genes although other sequences are involved in the application of regulating the usage of the information and also for structural purposes (Day, 12).
DNA as the secret of life
Probably human beings do not possess a curiosity gene, but it is a fact that human beings have a very formidable inquisitive nature that can be said to be a part of the combined messages that are attributed to their genes. This is why man has progressed dramatically from painting pictures on the wall to modern state-of-the-art technology and its application on various fronts like space exploration. All this are triggered man’s great desire to know and understand what is unknown. In this respect, some scientific researchers have endeavored to mine knowledge from the genomes’ codes (Allan, 104).
The pioneers of this study were James Watson and Francis Crick who were ambitious to determine a three-dimensional DNA structure as early as in the 1950s. These two scientists used various methods to gather their knowledge about the DNA and although sometimes they used crude and dishonest methods to acquire their methods, their study has brought a whole new dimension to the study of genes. They greatly succeeded in bringing pieces together and in 1953 they presented one of the most successful breakthroughs in the field and that was the presentation of the double helix DNA molecule. What the two tabled was one of their strongest judgments that studying the DNA structure would be a very important study in the future (Kessling, 56).
Since the discovery of DNA, and its various subfields which include structure and functioning, many biological scientists have unanimously agreed that this is one of the most important discoveries in the field of biological sciences in the twentieth century. This is because it has led to a significant impact on medicine. It has played a very important role in the identification of the genes that lead to disease development and also has shed a light on pharmaceutical production of medicine to prevent and cure these diseases. It has also played a very important role in the identification and the analyses of the genes that have led to some of the world’s greatest breakthroughs and which are responsible for changing science in the future (Cooper, 96).
One of its greatest advantages is that in the field of modern medicine and genetic research, DNA has played a very important role in the diagnosis of disease, investigate genetic predisposition to various illnesses, conditions, and diseases, and also in the creation of new drugs which are supposed to treat various ailments and diseases. In addition, it has played a vital role in the technology of using gene therapy for the treatment of various diseases. It has also helped in the creation of ‘custom drugs’ which are specifically designed for individual profiles of genetics. These breakthroughs have brought healing and hope to patients who were suffering from terminal illnesses or diseases that were once considered not treatable (Allan, 112).
DNA has also the humanity in various forms. One of these is the identifying of people in various situations, especially during disasters and accidents. In some cases, people’s bodies are sometimes destroyed beyond recognition, but thanks to the discovery of DNA, people whose bodies have been destroyed beyond recognition can now be identified and their bodies were taken to their families for proper burial. DNA has also helped law enforcement officers in determining criminals who leave various forms of DNA information on crime scenes. Victims of criminals can have various pieces of evidence left with them which can be DNA analyzed and help the law enforcers to arrest the criminals. It is very helpful in arresting sexual offenders because one way or another, they must leave significant evidence on the bodies of their victims (Day, 19).
DNA apart from helping human beings also has come up with great breakthroughs in the fields of veterinary science. Various bleeds have been brought about thanks to the discovery of DNA. This has brought about changes in the productivity of the animals and this has been very beneficial to the people. Plants have not been left out either and there increased usage of the technology to bring about very productive plants (Bledsoe, 201).
The effects of the DNA discovery on the field of medicine are quite remarkable although the impact has crossed into other societies’ aspects. This is because it has also brought about other issues like cloning and paternity cases where this has been met by quite a significant amount of criticism. One area of the DNA study that has elicited a lot of criticism in the areas of cloning many people argue that it is not good in the light of religious beliefs. Others have argued that it is a good technology but should not be risked because the world has witnessed a lot of good technologies being used by dangerous hands a good example being atomic energy and nuclear energy which have been negatively used in the wrong hands for terror activities and production of weapons of mass destruction (Cooper, 96).
However, the discovery of DNA has had a very positive impact on the field of medicine and in extension the lives of many people in the world. It has been used to detect life-threatening genes that are very susceptible to various illnesses and diseases and this has helped in the making of curative medicine for treating these diseases. It has also brought about the technology of cloning which can be very useful to the human race if only properly used. It has also laid a strong basis for Stem Cell research which can be used in the curing of a contingent of diseases and also be very helpful in the transplantation of organs and limbs (Allan, 123).
It has also brought about other issues in society like solving paternity cases and determining whether a suspect is guilty or innocent. Farming has been greatly improved by these discoveries which have ensured that bleeds and plants are more productive and at the same time more resistant to diseases. It is a clear fact that the discovery has greatly changed the world (Kessling, 56).
Works Cited
Allan, Tony. (2002) Understanding DNA: A breakthrough in medicine. Chicago, Ill: Heinemann Library.
Bledsoe, Karen E. (2006) Genetically Modified Foods. Detroit, Mich.: Blackbirch Press.
Cooper, Christopher. (2008). Forensic Science. London; New York: DK Pub.
Day, Trevor. (2004) Genetics. San Diego: Blackbirch Press.
Kessling, Ann. (2003) DNA and Genetics. London: Science Museum.