If you enjoy learning about genetics, you may want to pursue one of the careers listed below.
Do you enjoy solving puzzles? That's what forensic scientists do when they solve crimes. Local, state, and federal agencies employ forensic scientists to use scientific approaches that support criminal investigations. Criminalists are forensic scientists who specialize in the analysis of physical evidence, such as hair, fiber, DNA, fingerprints, and weapons. They are often called to testify in trials as expert witnesses.
Did you ever wonder how seedless watermelons become seedless? They are the product of a plant breeder. Plant breeders use genetic techniques to manipulate crops. Often, the goal is to make a crop more useful by increasing yield or nutritional value. Some breeders introduce new traits, such as pesticide resistance, to the plant's genetic makeup.
Why are certain populations more susceptible to particular diseases? This is the kind of question that population geneticists answer. Their goal is to figure out why specific traits of distinct groups of organisms occur in varying frequencies. The patterns they uncover can lead to an understanding of how gene expression changes as a population evolves.
Sophia Cleland, Population Geneticist and Immunologist
Sophia Cleland, a Ph.D. student in immunology at George Washington University, studies the molecular, cellular, and genetic mechanisms that contribute to autoimmune diseases. One of only a few Native Americans with an advanced degree in genetics, Ms. Cleland became interested in autoimmune diseases when she noticed that the frequencies of these illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, were several times higher among her tribal communities (Lakota-Sioux and California Mission Indian) than among Caucasians. Furthermore, she observed that such diseases progressed more rapidly among these communities than in any other human group in the world. Because of the frequency and severity of these diseases among indigenous tribal groups, Ms. Cleland is spreading the word about the need for focused research in this area.
“A compromise is needed between the world views of indigenous tribal groups and modern scientific approaches to gathering knowledge. We will encounter difficulties, but by working together with an open mind to learn, balanced and just results are possible.”
How do you think a high frequency of genetic illness can affect a population? Explain.