Biology - Genes and Gene Technology Course

It is over sixty years since the structure of DNA was first discovered by Watson and Crick. Since then work in genetics and gene technology has expanded to the point where the entire human genome has been sequenced, and there is now hope of being able to cure diseases using gene therapy. There is also on-going work in the area of modifying plant DNA to produce pest-resistant crops that give bigger harvests for more food. Today, people need a thorough knowledge and understanding of genetics and gene therapy so that they can make up their own minds as to the potential benefits and drawbacks of what this field of science can offer us. In this free online course you will discover what genes do and explore and come to understand reference terms such as meiosis and mitosis. The course also covers evolutionary aspects of DNA and the genome. You will also learn about gene technology which includes gene testing, gene therapy and the controversial area of genetic modification in plants. This course will be of great interest to professionals working in the areas of biology, medicine and development, to learners who would like a career in the areas of genetics and gene technology, and to anyone interested in understanding the basic area of science that underpins all living existence.

To qualify for your official ALISON Diploma, Certificate or PDF you must studyand complete all modules and score 80% or more in each of the course assessments. A link to purchase your Diploma certificate will then appear under the My Certificates heading of your My Account page.

In this course you will:

- develop an appreciation of the huge variety of different mammals that exist on Earth today;
- see how fossil evidence can help us to understand evolutionary history;
- understand how the structure of DNA can help us to detect differences between different species;
- apply the techniques of DNA analysis to work out which mammals are most closely related to each other;
- how the linear sequence of DNA within a gene is related to the linear sequence of amino acids of a protein
- how the information in DNA is carried via RNA to make a protein
- how RNA is synthesised from DNA by the process of transcription
- the number of chromosomes is characteristic of each species and can vary enormously between species
- genetics is based on the concept of the gene as the unit of inheritance
- the role of a genetic counsellor and its non-directiveness
- the difference between pre-natal diagnosis, childhood testing and adult testing and give some examples of diseases that may be tested for
- understand more about the science that underlies the development of genetically modified organisms and in particular how gene transfer is brought about;
- understand some of the social issues surrounding the development of GM crops;