...Knockout Mice Technology | Submitted By : Wasman ID : 11136007Course ID : BTE 402 | Knockout Mice Technology | Submitted By : Wasman ID : 11136007Course ID : BTE 402 | Modern medicine is the product of centuries of experiences in dealing with various diseases and disorders related to the human physiology. From the discovery of vaccination to the discovery of antibiotics, each medical breakthrough highlighted the success of humans in dealing with the prevailing medical issues of that time. With the discovery of the structure of DNA by Crick and Watson in the early 1950s, the focus on medical research has shifted to the understanding of the genetic cause of a particular disease. Because of this, we are now able to understand the pathophysiology behind much of the diseases that has been a mystery to us before. An example of this is cancer, which was initially untreatable, but now thanks to our ever improving understanding of the genetic and biochemical mechanisms of the disease we are almost a step closer to achieving a reliable cure. In order to understand the progression of a particular disease accurately, scientists need to recreate the symptoms in a controlled environment (e.g. a laboratory) within a living organism. Such organisms are known as model organisms, because they serve as a live model which allows us to explore the workings of the disease. Due to various ethical issues, using humans as model organisms are out of the question, so scientists...
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...genetic disorder where dramatic, premature aging occurs in children. Children with Progeria are born looking normal. However between 10 to 24 months of age signs of accelerated aging start to appear, such as slow growth, protruding eyes and prominent scalp veins. As the child develops, they are characterized by a very short stature, low body weight, early loss of hair, lipodystrophy, scleroderma and decreased joint mobility. Their facial features also resemble that of an aged person. (c) These children generally die in their teens, commonly by age 13, predominantly due to cardiovascular complications related to atherosclerosis.(b) Progeria is mainly caused by a...
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...Psychology 130 Research Paper Mice May Provide Important Clues for OCD Disorder Great strides have taken place in the research area of obsessive-compulsive disorder over the past three years, and there is hope that better treatments for humans suffering from this disorder may soon be in place, and it is mice that are providing important clues to what may cause OCD. The key issue behind OCD research is to find treatment and relief for those humans suffering from this debilitating psychiatric condition which affects about two percent of the world’s population. OCD is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in the world. It is marked by persistent intrusive thoughts (the obsession), repetitive actions (the compulsion) and anxiety. Examples include fear of contamination, or that something terrible will happen to a loved one. They also suffer from repetitive rituals (compulsions), which are often designed to neutralise these thoughts. Examples include hand-washing and checking and rechecking things. These symptoms cause distress and can occupy hours during the day, interfering with a person’s quality of life and their ability to work. The severity of OCD varies widely from person to person, and while the neurobiological basis of the disease is unknown, there are indications in past research that genetics plays a role. One of the key studies conducted in the last three years was done by the Duke University Medicine Center who had been conducting basic research on...
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...from scientists only to consumer friendly. [Inventors.about.com, (n.d.)]. The mouse was chosen as the device as its user friendly with few physical input demonstrated by the fact it is a ubiquitous device found all over the world. 2 Ergonomics Ergonomics, the study of how efficiently an environment can facilitate work is a key part of mouse design. Since, the first pointing devices, such as the ones produced at Xerox Parc, computer device have iteratively been improved to achieve as much ergonomic efficiency as possible. Figure 1: The Evolution of Mice As you can see computer mice have followed an extensive evolution over their 44 year existence (19682012). Initial designs were extremely square and were only designed to fit a human hand in terms of size not shape. Furthermore, the status quo of computer mice today are designed to include three buttons (one doubles as a scroll wheel) and to fit the a right hand of a human. It is interesting to note how modern designs have foregone the ambidextrous nature of their predecessors as they value the shape of the mouse more than said feature. 3 Psychology of Interaction The computer mouse provides a natural environment in which the user can interact with the computer. Its simple design and smooth, free flowing movement allow the user to use the mouse in an easy and natural way, with little to no concentration needed when carrying out even the most difficult of tasks. 1 Used in much the same way as hands during conversation...
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...it’s overall value. Though it still has some strong points, animal testing should be limited because animals are not suitable replacements for human drug testing, animal testing doesn’t produce accurate results, and there are many other reliable alternatives to it. Animals are not suitable replacements for human drug testing. The human body is extremely complex. Humans differ from animals anatomically, genetically, and metabolically...
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...setting of Of Mice and Men influence the book's thematic development? In answering, consider the connection between the novel's setting and the characters' vocations. Also, how does Steinbeck signal the importance of setting in his choice of place names? Though the novel is more famous for its characters than its setting, Of Mice and Men could not have been set elsewhere than in the rural Salinas valley of California. The problems of the novel are intimately tied to the rhythms and frustrations of the itinerant worker's life. Shifting from ranch to ranch, from one menial job to another, the Californian itinerant worker risked a life of meaningless labor - of pure, cynical sustenance. George and Lennie, with their dream of acquiring a farm, represent an attempt to stand against such perpetual loneliness. Even the name of the city near which the novel is set - Soledad, which is Spanish for "solitude" - resonates with this theme of loneliness. The title, Of Mice and Men, is an allusion to a Robert Burns poem. How is this allusion meaningful in the novel? Consider some similarities and differences between Burns and Steinbeck's works. Robert Burns' poem, "To a Mouse," is the source of the famous quotation: "The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men / Gang aft agley" ("often go awry"). And, indeed, Of Mice and Men features two men with a scheme - to escape their lives of menial, temporary employment - that goes awry. Beyond this simple plot similarity, the two works...
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...Sunday, September 7, 2014 Overview: Inquiring About Life! • • • • An organism’s adaptations to its environment are the result of evolution Evolution is the process of change that has transformed life on Earth Biology is the scientific study of life Biologists ask questions such as • How does a single cell develop into an organism? • How does the human mind work? • How do different forms of life in a forest interact? • • • • • • The basis of life’s variety and common themes is the genetic information in DNA molecules. All cells have DNA, and the genetic information in DNA is coded in the same way in all organisms Evolution makes sense of everything we know about living organisms Evolution explains patterns of unity and diversity in living organisms Similar traits among organisms are explained by descent from common ancestors Differences among organisms are explained by the accumulation of heritable changes 1 Sunday, September 7, 2014 • • " Humans group diverse items according to their similarities and relationships to each other Careful analysis of form and function has been used to classify lifeforms Recently, new methods of assessing species relationships, especially comparisons of DNA sequences, have led to a reevaluation of larger groupings In science, a hypothesis is a rational accounting for a set of observations, guided by inductive reasoning It is an explanation on trial A scientific hypothesis leads to predictions that can be tested and falsifiable with...
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...Introduction Humans share a mutual ancestors with other organisms. This mutual ancestor that humans share with other organisms including rice that lived about 1.6 billion years ago. Chimpanzees and bonobos are our closet living relative. Researchers were able to come to this conclusion by comparing the genomes of chimpanzees and bonobos to the genome of humans. In this paper I will discuss why all organisms are related to each other, including humans. I will do this by using natural selection as a mechanism for evolution. Natural selection as a mechanism for evolution explains how organisms have changed over time to adapt to their environment. I will also provide the percent of relatedness in terms of nucleotide sequence. I will also discuss the Human genome project and its importance. The benefits of the human genome project extend far beyond determining who our closest ancestor is and how closely humans are related to mice and other organisms. In this paper I will also look at the technology that has been developed to enhance the findings the Human Genome Project. Humans Are Related To Other Organisms Humans share about 99% of our DNA with chimpanzees and bonobos. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acids) is the molecule that makes up an organism’s genome. DNA is located in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and is found in the nucleoid of prokaryotic cells. DNA consist of genes which are instructions to make molecules called proteins. DNA’s serves a significant purpose...
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...Humans have a history of experimenting on animals, most often in the areas of medical and cosmetics. Humanity would not exist as it is today if animal experimentation was eliminated. The argument animal testing is useful cannot surpass its’ cruelty. With advancements in science and medical technology, animal testing no longer stands as a morally justifiable option. Animal testing lacks proof of necessity because it inhumanely abuses animals, carries inaccuracy, and is outdated. Animal experimentation is an abusive method of testing. Very minimal regulation in procedures can be done to animals during experimentation. Abuse defined as a verb, means to treat (a person or an animal) with violent cruelty, especially regularly or repeatedly. For research, animal abuse remains allowed legal: “the only U.S. law that governs the use of animals in laboratories, the Animal Welfare Act, allows animals to be burned, shocked, poisoned, isolated, starved, forcibly restrained, addicted to drugs, and braindamaged” (“Animal Testing is”). These methods are unbelievably cruel and abusive, as this suffering of the animals is intentional. Famous British philosopher Jeremy Bentham, famously proposed that “the question is not, can they reason? nor can they talk? but can they suffer?” The question asked, states that defenders of animal experimentation do not deny that animals suffer. Peter Singer, author of Animal Liberation , explains that scientists cannot deny animal abuse, while the book stresses the ...
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...through our parents, they are used to explain why aggression runs through families. Genetic factors play a role in aggressive behaviour and lies within an individual’s genetic make-up. Psychologists, look at twin studies to try and find evidence on a genetic basis to compare the degree of similarity of aggression between sets of monozygotic (MZ) twins and dizygotic (DZ) twins. A lot of the time, it is found that aggressive behaviour is more highly correlated in MZ twins than DZ twins. An example of this would be when McGuffin and Gottesman found a concordance rate of 87% for aggressive behaviour in MZ twins, compared with 72% for DZ twin pairs. However we cannot just rely on evidence from twin studies because they can be problematic as it is hard to disentangle nature and nurture. Many have suggested that MZ twins are treated more alike and share more similar environments than DZ twins because they act more like 'one' person rather than two separate people. This may affect how alike they are and how likely they are to express aggression. Researchers have also identified a number of genes that can potentially cause aggression. Although no individual gene for aggression has been identified in humans, a gene responsible for the production of the protein MAOA has been associated with aggressive behaviour. MAOA regulates the metabolism of serotonin in the brain. Low levels of serotonin have been associated with aggression. In 1993, a study of a Dutch family found that many of its male...
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...chronic disease that can cause heart disease and stroke. It can also lead to defects like blindness. Because of its horrifying effects on human health, the researchers planned to conduct a study using makopa, a native Philippine fruit, to be a component of a natural medicine for diabetes. Makopa (Syzygium samarangense) leaves have been found to have antihyperglycemic properties. The researchers thought of another way to produce the same result by using the fruit instead of the leaves. The fruit was put into a food processor, to separate the liquid extract and from the pulp. The retrieved extract was filtered using cheesecloth to remove impurities. The pure extract was put into a vial. The pulp of the fruit was sun dried, powdered using a blender. The resulting powder was combined with the pure extract. The extract from the pulp was the tea that can be orally taken by the mice through regulated feeding. Having produced two products, the researchers were able to come up with a pure makopa extract, and be able to apply current discoveries and studies to produce a medicinal product from makopa. Background of the Study The study was conducted to prevent and cure diabetes through makopa. Also, the study was driven by the medical history of diabetes in the families of two out of three researchers. Because of diabetes’ horrifying effects on human health and it is continuous effect on a larger population, this study aimed to produce a natural cure and prevention for this illness...
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...Unit 2, Ind. Project , American Intercontinental University Theories of Crime causation Criminal justice 105 Abstract This paper discusses the merits of the idea that genetics are a source for criminal behavior. The author of this paper includes examples that she found through research studies. The author also includes the results and findings for twin, adoption and testosterone studies that were conducted by top professionals in the study of genetics and the biological environments that surround us. The author also has listed some of the dangers of suggesting that there is in fact a criminal gene in the field of Criminal justice that is in existence and what the repercussions would be if it was proven to be the truth. This paper is informative and professionally cited. Discuss the merits of the idea that genetics are a source for criminal behavior. Criminality is definitely influenced by genetic factors as well as environment. For example studies were conducted among adopted children that have a biological parent that is a criminal these children have a higher risk of engaging in criminal activities, according to Richard J. Hernstein. He asserts that there have been many other studies that confirm certain physical traits, such as muscularity, gender and some have an extra Y chromosome, these children were also at a higher risk of committing crime. Therefore the late Hernstein argues, it’s refutable that criminal behavior has a genetic source. All...
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...with or without the presence of vitamin D. The second study that looked at vitamin D3 was by Matthew R. Durk, Kyung Han, Edwin C. Y. Chow, Rosemary Ahrens, Jeffrey T. Henderson, Paul E. Fraser, and K. Sandy Pang which looked at the reaction of insoluble and soluble beta-amyloid in mice models. This study inserted human beta-amyloid into mice 8 weeks of age and measured the amount of beta-amyloid over 8 days. During the 8 days beta-amyloid was measured using a variety of methods including taking blood and brain tissue samples. This study also looked at mice 10 weeks of age. Both of these studies concluded that an increase in vitamin D3, lead to a decreased presence of beta-amyloid thus lowering the presence of symptoms related to Alzheimers. It was found that mice who...
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...Unit 2, Ind. Project , American Intercontinental University Theories of Crime causation Criminal justice 105 Abstract This paper discusses the merits of the idea that genetics are a source for criminal behavior. The author of this paper includes examples that she found through research studies. The author also includes the results and findings for twin, adoption and testosterone studies that were conducted by top professionals in the study of genetics and the biological environments that surround us. The author also has listed some of the dangers of suggesting that there is in fact a criminal gene in the field of Criminal justice that is in existence and what the repercussions would be if it was proven to be the truth. This paper is informative and professionally cited. Discuss the merits of the idea that genetics are a source for criminal behavior. Criminality is definitely influenced by genetic factors as well as environment. For example studies were conducted among adopted children that have a biological parent that is a criminal these children have a higher risk of engaging in criminal activities, according to Richard J. Hernstein. He asserts that there have been many other studies that confirm certain physical traits, such as muscularity, gender and some have an extra Y chromosome, these children were also at a higher risk of committing crime. Therefore the late Hernstein argues, it’s refutable that criminal behavior has a genetic source. All...
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...Paper 5 Final Draft Exploitation of Animals: Rats and human ethics In the field of science and technology, the last decade has proven to be the most successful time period. Advancements in the field of science, such as Genetic engineering, has made human life easier. But, the critics in this field has raised many questions regarding ethical, environmental, economical, and social dilemmas. Recently, there has been a sharp increase in the number of animals used for technological research, and many animal extremists around the world are blaming scientists for breaking ethical codes. Rats and mice are being used for formulating new cancer drugs by scientists only for the benefit of human beings. Rats, along with mice and rodents, make up more than ninety percent of the animals used in research. There are number of questions raised by animal extremists, such as for what purpose these animals are being exploited? Should we consider the question of ethics and morality while these animals are mistreated for Humans selfish purpose? How should the attitude and practice toward the animal change? An online journal, The Conversation included in its article “Animals in Research: Rats,” such animals were used because humans and rats both are mammal, they have similar structure and functions regarding their body. That is one of the specific reason for why rats are used in medicinal research. Even though this research will benefit human health, using rats in the research will breach the ethical...
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