Current Events 16.11.2010

Rare Mutations Key to Brain
- Tina Hesman Saey
Site: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/65454/title/Rare_mutations_key_to_brain_disorders

Summary:
Many mutations of the brain are not inherited , new research shows that a rare kind of DNA variants pop up for the first time in effected people. A study in Nature Genetics shows that disrupting even one copy of certain genes can effect the way your brain develops and mental abilities. An experiment in the Netherlands shows that people that suffer from retardation lost chunks of DNA and or got the DNA duplicated when they were being formed. This article is pretty much how DNA effects your mental and brain development. If you lack or lost a DNA chunk you will suffer from retardation. In some cases you inherit it. It all comes down to your DNA...


One World:
This article connects to what we are learning about by being current news about the world around us. This news effects scientific knowledge by teaching scientists that mutations of the brain are not only inherited but caused by loss or lack of DNA. This news also effects technology by engaging scientists to make a machine which can give DNA so that there will be less brain mutations. In addition to that this news effects society by giving clear information that brain mutations are not just inherited so people can relax if their family members have brain mutations and the future can be bright for them!


Analysis/Evaluation:
This article makes sense because a lot of thought and evidence is provided. While reading I had three inquiries. Firstly, how can we prevent brain mutations? Secondly, how do you lose and lack DNA? Thirdly, how much DNA do you need to loose or lack in order to have a brain mutation?


Reflection:
This article was VERY helpful and interesting in understanding DNA and brain mutations. I learned three crucial things. Firstly, you have a chance of not inheriting a brain mutation. It has been proven that most cases are not inherited! Secondly, a brain mutation is caused by losing or lacking some DNA. It is lost when a baby is being formed. I hope scientists find a way to prevent because it would be a major break-through! Thirdly, DNA is everything to make you normal. If you want to be a normal human being you have to have normal DNA. We who are normal people are lucky not to have such a problem. In conclusion, I enjoyed reading this article because I learned a lot. I hope I can educate some about how lucky we are because it is truly amazing.