Dna Discovery Essay

This essay will endeavour to present how Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA as it is better known was discovered. Furthermore, and how since its discovery, has allowed questions to be answered, theories to be challenged and tested and in addition, continues to amaze scientists’ and scholars’ alike. Prior to this discovery, theories of transmissible evolution remained conjecture and it was not until the invention of the microscope, that it was possible to truly delve deeper. The subsequent explanation of this discovery from inception to modern day use, will enable a better understanding of DNA, it’s diverse and numerous applications, as well as how it has evolved throughout the history of science.
Deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA is a molecule that

In 1951, Francis Crick, James Watson and Maurice Wilkins collaborated and using available X-ray data and model building, they both solved the double helix structure of DNA (Olby, 2009). A biochemist by the name of Erwin Chargoff said, “there is an A for every T, and a C for every G”. To say that a meagre few contributed to the discovery and evolution of DNA research would be inaccurate. Mendel’s work with pea plants started the journey for mankind to not only understand the intricacies of DNA, but also its causal implications to genetics and to shared hereditary traits in man and in animals. Many followed and published their findings, many collaborated, but they all shared a common goal, to establish a connection and a singular signature for each living thing, very much like Crick, Watson and Wilkins double helix structure.Further from this in 1979 a biochemist named Kary Mullis carried out research of his own and in so doing, successfully invented the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a technique that amplifies specific DNA sequences from very small amounts of genetic

Other uses for DNA today include the study of its ancient equivalent, where fragments of bone and tissue or preserved plant remains can determine, the manner, the reason and the time of life lived, and cause of death or demise. Notably there is DNA replication which has allowed scientists to make clones of sheep and mice. Between 1953 and 1996 there has been various findings regarding diseases of individual genes such as Cystic Fibrosis, and Huntington’s Disease. Also known as Therapeutic Cloning, this procedure can make multiple copies of the cell to treat the disease. (Zang Y, 2011). In the year 2000, a draft was submitted for The Human Genome Project which finally came about in 2003. An international research effort to map all of the genes or genomes, of all of our species. This would enable scientists, for the first time, to decipher nature’s genetic blueprint for building a human being (Y,