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Genes are the units of heredity in living organisms. They are encoded in the organism's genetic material (usually DNA or RNA), and control the physical development and behavior of the organism. During reproduction, the genetic material is passed on from the parent(s) to the offspring. Genetic material can also be passed between un-related individuals (e.g. via transfection, or on viruses). Genes encode the information necessary to construct the chemicals (proteins etc.) needed for the organism to function.
The word "gene" was coined in 1909 by Danish botanist Wilhelm Johannsen for the fundamental physical and functional unit of heredity. The word gene was derived from Hugo De Vries' term pangen, itself a derivative of the word pangenesis which Darwin (1868) had coined. The word pangenesis is made from the Greek words pan (a prefix meaning "whole", "encompassing") and genesis ("birth") or genos ("origin").
The term "gene" is shared by many disciplines, including classical genetics, molecular genetics, evolutionary biology and population genetics. Because each discipline models the biology of life differently, the usage of the word gene varies between disciplines. It may refer to either material or conceptual entities.
More on [ Gene ]
Patents :: Intellectual Property
Genetics :: Biotechnology
@insightSBS What are the ethics behing gene patenting? Can someone really own the genes in my body?
adros47 (Adam) Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:55:43 -0000
@insightSBS What are the ethics behing gene patenting? Can someone really own the genes in my body?
Briton Applies to Patent Her Own Genes - A 31-year-old British woman has applied to patent herself so she can protect herself from genetic exploitation, the Express tabloid said on Saturday. [Reuters]
Canadian Attempts to Trademark Own Genes - Press release by Frank Dr. Tomorrow Ogden about his trademark application.
Dominga - Anonymous infrastructure for personal genetic data. Company based on the notion individuals own their own DNA and should have exclusive rights to its use and disposition.
Meta Description: [ Seed stage biotech firm offering enterprise software platform for consumer segment of life sciences industry. ]
Poet Attempts the Ultimate in Self-invention - Patenting Her Own Genes - A poet and casino waitress from Bristol, angered at the mass patenting of human genes by science and big business, is trying to become the first person to patent herself. By James Meek. [Guardian]
US Firm Offers Stars DNA Copyright - A US corporation is trying to persuade famous individuals to copyright their DNA. [BBC News]
Meta Description: [ A US corporation is trying to persuade famous individuals to copyright their DNA. ]
Who Owns Your Genes? - Patent article by William S. Ramsey, P.C. Strange as it may seem, you or someone else can patent your genes.
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