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3rd Chromosome Deciphered

Posted by chrisd on from the all-your-bases-belong-to-us dept.

veeoh writes: "Another chapter in the human book of life has been published. Scientists working as part of the Human Genome Project(including some from the Wellcome Trust) have deciphered the complete genetic instructions of a third chromosome, one of the 24 bundles of DNA that carry our genetic material. The BBC has an article about the discovery"

1 of 194 comments (clear)

  1. Re:24? by mandolin · · Score: 1, Flamebait
    (IANABiologist)

    Dear troll, one of the interesting things about the Y chromo is that most of it is there just to make sure you're male. Diseases like color blindness, hemophilia etc. strike males *almost* exclusively because males have no good X chromo to cover for their screwed up one. To use a somewhat apt term, females have 'backups'.

    For example, if mental prowess were controlled by the X chromo, and you got the stupid gene, it would be nice to have a backup to bring you back up to par. Judging by the nature of your post however, I'm guessing you got good ol' "Y" instead.