In Which I Discuss Evolutionary Roots

      From class, I have been able to learn that Darwin was not the first to propose the evolution theory and that it does not state that we came from monkeys! There is even the words 'survival of the fittest' to be addressed. Evolution usually takes place on a smaller scale, this concept is called Microevolution.  So let's get started.

     Darwin was actually picking up on his own grandfather's and several other scientist writings and was profoundly influenced by the bible work. After a long journey on the seas, he was able to study island finches and little differences that helped them survive in their part of the island. Though they were all the same bird, some had longer beaks that lived in rocky areas so they could reach food. Some showed different patterning and color to help defend them against predators based on their area of the island. This shows the vast capabilities of the body to adapt and change from one central point.


     Microevolution takes place nearly everyday and shows us that little things can effect entire populations of species and food chains. Its definition is ' evolution on a small scale specific to only one species.'  The important parts to microevolution are Mutation, Migration, Genetic Drift, and Natural Selection. Mutations are when two parents look the same, but create a child that is wildly different. This is achieved through a series of recessive genes. Migration deals with populations within a species relocating (probably to a better area that they are adapted to) leaving the original species with a majority of one type. Genetic Drift is when by pure chance of those recessive genes, an influx of the mutation becomes prominent within the population. Finally, Natural selection is the ablility to survive longer based on ones genes. A tan mouse will be safer in the sand than a black mouse, yet a black mouse will be safer on lava rock than a tan mouse.

This picture actually does break it down nicely. A lot of Darwins' prime examples stem from beetle colors and population.

In Which I Explain DNA Structure

     DNA is what makes us humans up. Our incredible bodies are made up of seemingly simple structures. To begin explaining what the structure of DNA is, I will show you a very familiar ladder looking picture.

     At this point in time, I would like to direct your attention to the thing labeled base pair. A base pair will always be made up of the four letters G,T,C, and A (Green-Cat, Ass-Tan). A stands for Adenine, T stands for Thymine, G stands for Guanine and C stands for Cytosine.  In my little rhyme, I specifically paired G with C and A with T. These are the only things that can be paired together, but there is an infinite number of combinations within the helix that bases can repeat and be lined up to produce proteins that create    characteristics. 

     Nucleotides are groups made of sugars and phosphates joined to a single base that are connected through covalent bonds and to make up a chain. This chain is paired to another (by matching appropriate bases) to make a base pair through hydrogen bonding in order to make the double helix you know and love. 

     This 'simple' process rebuilds and rebuilds upon itself to make human beings... which is the tightest thing ever. In order to replicate itself, The DNA will go through a process and unzip to a certain point, leaving the nucleotides alone again. But there is good news! Newer nucleotides and bases will be attracted to the old strands and connect to them through hydrogen bonding. They continue to unzip and reconnect almost infinitely, creating life and sequences! This picture will easier explain the replicating method of DNA.

Source- http://www.blc.arizona.edu/molecular_graphics/dna_structure/dna_tutorial.html

             http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/VL/GG/dna_replicating.php

In Which I Reflect on Sci-Fi Gold

     GATTACA. You're probably already well aware of these four letters being arranged in all caps. This specific arrangement of Green-Cat-Ass-Tan happens to title the 1997 Sci-Fi masterpiece. I already loved this film for it's talented cast consisting mostly of Jude Law, but the incredible story line really takes me to that possibly near future. Some amazing points were addressed during this film that I'd like to review and explain now. Here we go.

Thank you JLaw for that sassy and judge-heavy transition.

     Terms from the movie...

         De-gene-erate: This word is used to refer to naturally born children, those who were not touched by the hands of genetic science. This is considered a negative thing as they are almost always donned with some kind of failure within their make-up, therefore resulting in earlier death or incapability to keep up with what is now considered normal. 

         In-valid: In-valid refers to those who are turned away from the mainstream opportunities of the lab children. In-valids are not allowed in fancy clubs or higher level jobs. The 'god children' are treated much like Black people were treated in the 40's and the segregation era... Separate but [not so] equal. 

        Borrowed Ladder: This refers to what genetically modified people see as the scum and scabs of the earth. People who are natural born and use the identity and genetic material of the more privileged society in order to climb the corporate ladder and reach their dreams. This term has a clever play on words as it refers to a borrowed ladder of success and a borrowed genetic ladder (like the image of the DNA strand that looks like a ladder!) Borrowed genes. 

     We use the words 'degenerate' and 'invalid' in today's society and they are used in much the same situation. They are very derogatory and are used to refer to those who do not have the opportunity that normal or special people have. It's clever how the movie was able to link these negatively commonly used words to the genetic future society.

     Vincent's reasoning for leaving his family...

     Once Vincent was able to beat his genetically perfected younger brother in a swimming contest, he knew that it was possible for him to rise to the same level as everyone else and achieve his true dream. He immediately left so that his family wouldn't hinder his assumed quest for destiny. He tore his face from the family portrait to signal total disconnect and to show them his wish that they forget him, because one day, he'll reach his dream and he will not be Vincent. He'll have to be someone else.

     The meaning of the 12-fingered pianist...

     Though this famous pianist was genetically perfect, something went wrong with the sequencing and he ended up with twelve fingers. After his birth, many probably considered him a flop and disregarded his perfect genetic make-up... that is until he was able to play a song only accomplish-able through the use of 12 fingers, making him a celebrity, a hope, and a huge middle finger to all those who considered him an invalid or genetic failure. The insertion of this character aided in providing hope to the story line to all those who were dealt the wrong hand when they didn't deserve it.

    

     Favorite Character, would I want to be them?...

     [The Real] Jerome Morrow is of course my favorite character; not just because of his painfully good looks, but because of his dark sense of self. He at first seems to give zero damns about the whole black market borrowed ladder involvement. He realized a long time ago that his life as he knew and wanted it is over and his situation was too fatefully perfect for him not to get tracked down by one of the shady people on the sinister side of genetics. Jerome had given up and was too perfect to even successfully kill himself. Jude Law was given the most tragic character of the movie. He warmed up to Vincent and focused his entire being on providing DNA for his dream life, while still battling the overpowering will to die. I would never want to be in that dark of a mind set. He was so sarcastic and cynical while still haughty and full of personality (i.e. sass). To be that tortured in his half-life is the most depressing part of the entire world of GATTACA. 

     The doc knew!!...

     In the end, we see doctor Lamar give whom he knows to be Vincent and obvious pass into the world beyond. He changes his ID to Jerome's and says, "I never did get to tell you about my son," this is something he has mentioned to Vincent since the first time he met him. From this we know that Dr.Lamar's son must have been a failed genetic modification or a God Child who had incredible potential, but he lacked "the one criterion: Genetic Perfection." Were I to be the Doctor, and I had an 'imperfect' son, I would definitely do the same as he did. To love someone so much only to see their dreams crushed daily because you chose not to change their natural existence. If I recognized someone succeeding as much as Vincent was, I would do everything to assist him in order to make up for the failure I put on my child. Making Vincent's dream come true would substitute making my own son's dreams come true.

     Possibility of GATTACA tech in our world...

     It is more than possible for GATTACA-like society to arise in our world very soon. Technology is becoming insanely intelligent every single day... I mean for God's sake we can touch a piece of glass and it does exactly what we want it to! That's friggin incredible. We are closer everyday to being able to removing the threat of disease and early death from tomorrow's generation. Something this personal and major is always met with conflict. Are we attempting to play God? How can we take it upon ourselves to redirect fate? Would this lead to people being all the same and lacking any kind of special qualities? So many diseases are being met with cures every single day, in a very short time, I may be able to see my own children free from all terrifying and life-threatening diseases.

An appropriate ending yes? NO.