Science: Biology: DNA

Science: Biology: DNA April 1, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The "thread of life", is deoxyribonucleic acid, otherwise known as DNA. It is the spiral shaped molecule found in the nucleus of cells. Scientists have known since 1952 that DNA is the basic substance of heredity. This was hypothesized, and later confirmed by James D. Watson and Francis Crick. They also know that it acts like a biological computer program over 3 billion bits long that "spells" out instructions for making the …

…the general population upon accidental release. But, since 1973 when they first used the technique it has been transferred thousands of times without any of the feared catastrophes occurring. But, still there are many questions remaining to be answered. Is it right for people to change their babies' eye color, or any other aspect of their baby? Should employers be allowed to see your DNA, to see if you are at risk for a certain disease?