Science Week lectures on the occasion of Independence Day

13 August, 2018.

Dr Indrakant K Singh, Delhi University How DNA has changed the world.

Human DNA or the molecule of inheritance carries the entire set of instructions for the growing of the fertilised egg into a complete human. With the discovery of human DNA, the stage was set for fifty years of world changing discoveries. Steve Connor. The discovery of DNA has helped resolve some of the greatest mysteries of the world linked to the world of Biology. Our School, in the course of the observance of Science Week introduced students to the importance of this vital component of any living organism in a lecture by Dr. Indrakant Kumar Singh, noted biologist and professor at Delhi University.

Dr. Indrakant began with an overview of the subject. The deoxyribonucleic acid was discovered by the persistent and untiring efforts of James Watson, Francis Crick and Rosalind Franklin, of which the first two were awarded the Nobel Prize for the discovery. ( Unfortunately Rosalind missed the prize as he died early.)

Dr Indrakant took the students through the wonderful journey of DNA, facts and the 23 special ways that DNA helped change the world. Each cell has a DNA 2 metre long, and an average human body has approximately 75 trillion cells. This length of DNA would help a man reach the Sun and come back 400 times!The diameter of this DNA is 0.000000002 m.

This discovery led to an array of further discoveries and inventions. DNA helped us to understand why humans look as they do and and elephants look as they do. It helped us to find the mutations in the genes, which result in mutation. This mutation alone helped humans to evolve from the monkey into the most intellectual organism on this planet! It explains why some of us develop chronic diseases and why others are immune to various diseases. The discovery of DNA also helped us to identify cures for several diseases.

After the discovery, we were also able to strengthen our justice system by providing DNA fingerprints and evidence for claims. Families reunited with lost ones because of this too. Using the DNA and carbon-dating, we have been able to find the origins of humans and the place where the earliest civilisation was found. Now, by extending the tip of chromosomes and renewing it, we can possibly lengthen the life span.

With research on the human genome and immunisation, we can design an organism as we seek to. In the future, will be able to clone them on a large scale as well. DNA has created an ethical minefield and has proven Darwin's theory that all the plants and animals have the same DNA code.

Through the discovery of this DNA, we have been able to enhance our food products and preserve crops longer. However it must also be kept in mind, that the same DNA has been also used for invoking bioterrorism and biological warfare.

The students were highly engaged and enchanted by the facts and knowledge shared by the speaker. The workshop opened up a new dimension for young minds to wander and discover.

Aryan Singh XD.