CELEBRATE YOUR DNA TODAY!!
This is the winning contest entry, done by Wolf:
Thank you so much! Your picture and poem brings to mind that DNA is a kind of magical material, like a spider's web, capable of so much natural beauty, that can also be woven with intellect.
This year I am a little late in celebrating DNA Day because I was volunteering in northern Japan. Sorry for being so late with this! Next year I'll be more on top of things, I promise.
So anyway, let's celebrate DNA!
Some reasons to celebrate:
1. Celebrate that DNA has made you who you are. You were born into the human race, with your hands, feet, eye color, the size of your brain. Be grateful for all the things DNA has provided for you, the ability to run around, process food, see, hear, combat disease, resist injury, grow fingernails... We spend a lot of time already being concerned with our bodies, our imperfect skin, our weight, our hair.. Today let's celebrate that we have bodies to begin with, and have the capacity for so many things because of that!
2. Celebrate the discoveries about DNA that have helped us. By identifying which genes cause which problems, scientists have made amazing medical advances. Forensics are a piece of cake compared to before we could do DNA analysis. DNA samples found in ancient places has shed new light on history.
3. Celebrate what DNA can do for us in the future! Genetically modified crops may ease world hunger. Adding, deleting, or changing genes will help a myriad of diseases. Every day new things are being discovered about the amazing molecule that is DNA and things that were once science fiction daydreams are now turning into a very possible future.
Here are some interesting articles that piqued my interest this year!
Gold+DNA computers!
Will DNA be a part of next generation computing?
Taming Wild Animals
After reading this I realized how much DNA is in control of our ability to feel compassion for other people, strangers, and other animals. Without these kinds of genes, we couldn't have the kind of society we have now.
DNA Day Transcript
This is the Chatroom transcript for the 2011 DNA Day question and answer session. Some of the questions are really good and I like hearing an expert's answers.
Here are some fun facts about DNA, taken from the DOE website:
The human genome contains 3164.7 million chemical nucleotide bases(ATCG).
The average gene consists of 3000 bases, but sizes vary greatly, with the largest known human gene being dystrophin at 2.4 million bases.
The total number of genes is estimated at 30,000 to 35,000.
Almost all (99.9%) nucleotide bases are exactly the same in all people.
Less than 2% of the genome codes for proteins.
We eat about 93,000 miles of DNA in an average meal.
The shape of the double helix is incredible enough that it has become a theme in various forms of art and architecture:
(Stairs in France, A window at CSU, A necklace made by Quill, Statue at CSU, fountain photos taken by Kaj, Sculpture from a museum in Finland)
DNA is also the theme of the song "That Spells DNA" by Johnathan Coulton.
Finally, my favorite quote:
"You know that somewhere there are squiggles in black ink that represent the notes to Beethovens Ninth Symphony but in no way does that diminish the grandeur of the symphony itself. And I don't think that the genome initiative diminishes the dignity of humankind. In fact, it may increase our appreciation for the Creator of all life. After all, Beethoven had 12 notes to work with, but the Creator had only four."
-Thomas Murray
Well have a happy DNA Day, you guys!
Back to Random is God Back to DrunkDuck Back to LJ Back to DeviantArt