Genetics/molecular biology

[uls]

Actually we just got past topics on programmed cell death, and the reason cancer exists. Cancer basically comes from uncontrolled cell proliferation, but the science of applying controlled cell proliferation (to extend life) is still in its infancy. It looks like free radicals also has an effect on this, as well as other factors. I'm also taking virology, and it's amazing how these viruses (from the common cold to the deadly types) have "evolved" (parenthesis because they're not living) to adapt to certain conditions and survive.

In all honesty, this is not really my thing. But since I got myself into it, it's becoming more interesting to me. It's like tinkering with the basic building blocks of what we all call "life" and carefully applying it to benefit a lot of people. Biotechnology in my school is a different field actually. I think it deals more with the technology than the application, but I'm not familiar with it that much.

We've discussed prions in a previous class I had, it wasn't much. But really interesting. Mutated proteins having an effect on an organism (mad cow disease comes to mind) is the stuff of movies but now they're all getting clearer and can be explained.

Diba some cancers can be caused by viruses? HPV causes cervical cancer, EBV causes lymphoma, HCV causes liver cancer.

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What do normal cells have that cancer cells dont have?

Normal cells divide but are programmed to stop at some point. Cancer cells divide and dont stop. So they lack a program? They dont have that apoptosis program?

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Im more interested in evolutionary biology. Natural selection, survival of the fittest... stuff like that.

Cancer, aging, death is programmed into us.

We are not programmed for long life but for reproduction. Our bodies are disposable after we have brought up our offspring. That's why serious diseases usually start to occur in the 50's, 60's... after the kids are all grown up.

Nature intended that we have offspring and raise them while we are young & healthy.

But there are those who have serious diseases while young. In nature, diseased young organisms die. Leaving only healthy organisms to propagate... minimizing the defective genes to mix in the gene pool.

Pero tayo, because we are human, we do not just allow weak people (young or old) to just die.

We look for cures. We keep everyone alive as long as we can. Genetic defects and all.

People with genetic defects live long enough to pass their defects to their offspring. And the offsping also pass it to their offspring. The human gene pool is full of genetic defects. Defects that were suppose to have been selected out if nature had its way.

so what's my point? La lang hehe...

But now we have the technology to design our babies-to-be. And have those defects taken out. U can even choose the babies' eye color. I think it's called Eugenics.