genetics

While we recently learned that Americans are drinking less beer, perhaps they should reconsider.

Recent studies show that xanthohumol, a chemical found in hops, can inhibit enzymes that trigger cancer as well as help detoxify the body of carcinogens.

In addition, other researchers at Rice University are trying to genetically engineer brewing yeast in order to create beer loaded with resveratrol, a cancer-preventing compound.

Perhaps this could help bring back America's beer drinking traditions. Would you drink beer that was genetically engineered if it had potential health benefits?

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My older sister and I don't look a bit alike. Growing up, she looked more like my parents so people assumed I was adopted. And, that line of thinking didn't change much until our younger brother and sister arrived. I was pretty surprised when my children were born looking rather similar — sharing certain facial features, skin tone and hair color. Some siblings look like carbon copies of one another and others are a mix of genetics. Which group do your tots fall into?

The government has decided to consider farmers' proposals to sell genetically altered animals as food. Although genetically engineered food is not a new concept (the process is used in agriculture to produce more crops), this is the first time that the FDA has contemplated applying the process to animals. The animals' genes would be manipulated to bring out or change certain characteristics. Faster growing fish, featherless chicken, and mad-cow-resistant cattle are examples of the types of changes that can be made.

The development is incredibly interesting and somewhat disturbing. The FDA will not always require the genetically modified food to be labeled, so consumers may not know if they are eating pork from a reduced-waste producing pig or fish that has grown in 18 months instead of three years.

What do you think of the news? Would you want to eat genetically adapted animals?

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Scientists may be one step closer to creating designer babies, with the first genetically modified human embryo. Despite the scientists' assurances that the work was concentrated strictly on stem cell research, the fact that scientists have genetically altered a human embryo is alarming to many.

Concerned citizens worry that if scientists continue to develop that capability, they may be enticed to eventually insert desirable genes — such as intelligence or athleticism.

Do you think designer children will be popular? I can imagine a slippery slope situation, in which class divisions become more pronounced. Those with means do what they can to improve their children's abilities. For example, if the wealthy can afford a private tutor for their children, effectively making them more intelligent (or at least educated), couldn't it follow that some would opt to buy a "smart" gene when their child is just an embryo? Is there anything wrong with that?

If all babies eventually have the intelligence gene, will we have to redefine intelligence?

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