Mutation is not a new phenomenon in life.

From the microscopic forms of life to the

largest animal in the planet, mutations can persist. Mutation is defined as an error in base
sequence in a gene that is reproduced during DNA replication. I am completely aware that the
alteration of these genetic information will cause a disastrous effect on the human body.
I can still recall my childhood fascination about mutations especially when I watch my
favorite movie, X-men. The movie X-men is basically a typical science fiction movie where the
protagonists fight the antagonists. But what makes it interesting is that the characters of the
movie has superpowers which are caused by mutation this is the reason why they are called
“mutants.”
I was in grade 5 when I realized that mutation in reality is not like how the movie X-men
portrayed it to be. It’s not like mutations will give a person a superpower but it’s more like the
person will suffer from mutation. Perhaps, mutations can be beneficial in some way but it does
not outweigh its disastrous effects in the human body.
What causes mutation? There are two major factors that causes mutation, radiation and
chemical agents. These two factors are called mutagens. A mutagen is defined as a substance or
agent that causes a change in the structure of a gene. Radiation, in the form of ultraviolet light,
X-rays, radioactivity, and cosmic rays, has the potential to be mutagenic. Chemical agents can
also have mutagenic effects. Nitrous acid (HNO2) is a mutagen that causes deamination of
heterocyclic nitrogen bases. For example, HNO2 can convert cytosine to uracil.
In dietary considerations, the use of nitrates and nitrites as preservatives in foods such as
bologna and hot dogs is a cause of concern because of their conversion to nitrous acid in the
body and subsequent possible damage to DNA.
However, the body has repair enzymes which significantly fix the altered bases. Most of
the time, these enzymes repair the problematic bases but occasionally these bases are not
properly repaired thus, mutations persist. Just thinking of it, it is bothering that the hotdogs I
usually eat can cause such effects. This is clearly an implication that I should limit myself eating
hotdogs.
Some of the aftermaths of DNA mutations include the following, Albinism which is
caused by the mutation of the gene responsible for the production of the protein melanin, Sickle
cell anemia which is the result of the mutation of the gene that controls the production of the
protein hemoglobin, Hemophilia which is the inability of the blood to clot, Cystic Fibrosis which
is a mutation where in mucus clogs the organs, such as lungs, liver, and pancreas due to a
defective chlorine-ion transport channel.

Virus and mutation

Provided with the right conditions, viruses are notorious in jumping from one specie to
another. The phenomenon of jumping from one specie to another is because of mutation. And it
is at this unusual journey that makes viruses deadly especially to humans. This is true to the
pandemic we are experiencing at the present time. Indeed, viruses and mutation is truly a perfect
recipe for disaster.
What exactly happened in Wuhan market in China? Well, as what the World Health
Organization (WHO) claims, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) came from Wuhan
market in China. The Wuhan market is a wet market where animals are slaughtered and sold for
consumption such animals include rabbits, civet cats, ducks, snakes, rats, dogs, bats and more. I
mean no judgment but apparently, they almost eat everything.
The thing that makes wet markets different from ordinary market is the fact that the
establishment is selling various wildlife animals which are potential carriers of different viruses.
The cages used for these animals are stacked one over another. And due to this, animals at the
bottom of the cages are often soaked with animal secretions. Scientists believe that these
scenarios provide the perfect conditions for viruses to mutate.
When a person comes in contact or consume infected animals, he/she may or may not
acquire the virus. Like what was mentioned, the virus only mutate at right conditions. And if that
conditions are met, then it’s the only time where the virus spreads to humans. In worst cases, the
virus may spread from person to person which is now the pandemic today.
According to the WHO, COVID-19 most likely started from bats but the intermediate
host this time was a pangolin based on the fact that scientists identified a coronavirus in these
animals that has 96% match to SARS-CoV-2. Pangolins are animals that look like a cross
between an ant-eater and armadillo. Unfortunately, pangolins are heavily trafficked animals
because people in China believe that their scales have healing properties. This is one prospect
why the virus mutated, crossed to humans and caused the pandemic we are facing today.
Literally, mutation is a very interesting biological phenomenon that baffles scientists and
researchers of this generation. I am really convinced that the small things which a typical person
don’t care about are actually the ones with great significance. Yes, it’s true that DNA mutations
happen in the microscopic level but they entail a macro scale impact on the totality of an
organism.