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Richard C. Cornelio
Professor Sandra Yap
Biology 1
The Gene Code: The Book of Life
From an aesthetic standpoint, no human architecture can rival the simple yet
elegant design of the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), the blueprint of lifes genetic code.
Nevertheless, only little does we know about the language behind our own hereditary
scripts. Using this as a motivation, distinguished professor and molecular biologist Dr.
Adam Rutherford, in his 2011 science documentary entitled The Gene Code, took the
general viewing public on a rollercoaster ride as he delved into the largest collaborative
biological project ever recorded in history the deciphering of the entire human
genome.
Aired in BBC 4 and presented by Dr. Rutherford, himself, The Gene Code is
divided into two hour-long episodes the first, subtitled as The Book of Life, and the
second, Unlocking the Code. Undoubtedly, the first episode attracted not only the
members of the scientific community, but also the ordinary viewers, who, amidst their
little knowledge of the subject, were still equally riveted by Dr. Rutherfords decisive and
logical presentation. The Book of Life clearly captured the audience with its focus on
how the human DNA reflects the entire story of life on earth, and how this fact
associates us directly to the origins of life. More so, Dr. Rutherford also literally
journeyed around the globe to interview some of todays greatest minds in science,
who, likewise, deserve commendation for their willing participation in unraveling the
marvel of the genetic code. This, along with the discussion of the present-day
researches on cell and molecular biology and genetics, renders credibility to the
program, which is a vital element in forming a solid ground for science-themed
documentaries. Truthfully, The Gene Code: The Book of Life never failed to not only
awe the viewers, but also to take them to the core of the matter the essence of
decoding the human genome.
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Dr. Rutherford opened the program by metaphorically describing the DNA as an
epic poem of life on earth. Technically, DNA is a bio-molecule responsible for the
regulation and manufacturing of proteins, which is conversely the information
transmitted from the parental organisms to their offspring. In the documentary, the DNA,
as the classic resemblance dictates, is once again compared to a spiral staircase with
its ladder-like structure. Two sets of these twenty-three giant DNA molecules, or
chromosomes, with each set one inherited from each parent containing more than
three billion chemical units, and one now has his genome, the human hereditary script.
Truth be told, the whole program of The Gene Code is intended as a response
documentary for the Human Genome Project (HGP), the 2000 international scientific
research project whose goal is to determine the complete sequence of chemical base
pairs that make up human DNA, thereby mapping out the total genes of the human
genome.
In the striking introductory part of the documentary, viewers were transported
back to the time when the only organisms existing on earth were the archea.
Interestingly, Dr. Rutherford travelled all the way to Iceland just to land his eyes on
these species, which are still thriving in hot springs or volcanic vents, where their acid-,
salt- and heat-resistance enables them to survive up to the present time. Here, the
senior medical professor explained how when these organisms are penetrated by
bacteria they converged to form the intracellular organelle mitochondrion, thus
leading the way to the evolution of multicellular organisms. Geneticist and germ
biologist Aoife McLaysaght Ph.D. supported this claim by citing the amphioxus, ancient
worms whose genome was also analyzed to identify the evolutionary similarities
between the vast human genetic archive and that of the first planetary life forms. Among
other related discoveries roped in in the program were how boa constrictors, with their
304 vertebrae, have genes for bone growth essentially resembling to those of humans,
and how chimpanzees project the slightest difference with human genome, as revealed
by PMDR9, chromosome no. 5 in the human karyotype. In this context, Dr. Rutherford
then affirmed that genetic similarities among species imply their origins from common
ancestors that is, their functions are of greater evolutionary significance than fossil
genes or inactive genes present in primitive biological systems.
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Understanding the human genome is seen to propel revolution in the study of
biotechnology a budding field in biology. This is once again another aspect taken into
the account in the documentary. With the help of Prof. Peter Donnelly of Wellcome
Trust Care Institute, Dr. Rutherford emphasized the wide possibilities of DNA
Recombinant technology, along with the implications this scientific advancement entails
much for the existence of human race. The documentary was concluded with Dr.
Rutherfords parting words: No one can deny how much of our lives are shaped by our
DNA.
That the science documentary was impressive is an understatement. Indeed, it
was a success for not only did it make the viewers understand the consequences of
historys biggest scientific ventures, but it has also shown us how deciphering the entire
human genome would lead us to the knowledge of the very process by which our DNA
renders us unique from one another. It further attests to the truth that who we are and
what traits we possess are nothing but perfect mistakes of evolution and
diversification. At the days end, as we come to grasp our gene code, humanity also
stands to witness the most exciting scientific journey of all time.