10-05-2013, 01:03 PM
In an organism gene expression can be environmental influenced, which includes the organism’s external world where it dwells or develops, in addition to its internal world which involves the factors such as its metabolism and hormones. The external factors of the environment such as drugs, temperature, light and chemicals can determine which genes are turned off and on, thus influencing the manner of an organism’s development and functionality.
Researchers have long acknowledged the role played by the environmental factors in the production of traits in animals. Environmental factors such as presence of mutagens, temperature, diet, oxygen levels, light cycles, and humidity all impact on which of the genes in an animal are expressed, which finally affects the phenotype of the animal.
Drugs and gene Expression – Drugs can alter the gene expression for example, thalidomide an antiemetic, sedative and non barbiturate drug (barbiturate drugs are the one that act as depressants of the central nervous system) was initially manufactured and marketed during the 1950s. The drug had no distinguishable effect on the gene expression and growth in healthy adults, whereas it had a profound harmful effect on the growing fetuses. When the drug was initially produced, its impact on the developing fetuses was not known. Furthermore, due to its evident lack of toxicity in human adult volunteers, the thalidomide drug was marketed as the sedative that was safest available of its time and swiftly became popular in Australia, Europe, Asia, and South America for treating morning sickness. In 1961 William McBride an Australian researcher and Widukind Lenz a German researcher independently discovered that the drug thalidomide was a teratogen and so is associated with birth defects. The drug caused deformities in approximately 8 to 12,000 infants when its use was withdrawn. Amusingly, in spite of the fact that thalidomide is unsafe during embryonic growth, the drug continues to be utilized in certain instances such as in treating leprosy and certain cancers.
Researchers have long acknowledged the role played by the environmental factors in the production of traits in animals. Environmental factors such as presence of mutagens, temperature, diet, oxygen levels, light cycles, and humidity all impact on which of the genes in an animal are expressed, which finally affects the phenotype of the animal.
Drugs and gene Expression – Drugs can alter the gene expression for example, thalidomide an antiemetic, sedative and non barbiturate drug (barbiturate drugs are the one that act as depressants of the central nervous system) was initially manufactured and marketed during the 1950s. The drug had no distinguishable effect on the gene expression and growth in healthy adults, whereas it had a profound harmful effect on the growing fetuses. When the drug was initially produced, its impact on the developing fetuses was not known. Furthermore, due to its evident lack of toxicity in human adult volunteers, the thalidomide drug was marketed as the sedative that was safest available of its time and swiftly became popular in Australia, Europe, Asia, and South America for treating morning sickness. In 1961 William McBride an Australian researcher and Widukind Lenz a German researcher independently discovered that the drug thalidomide was a teratogen and so is associated with birth defects. The drug caused deformities in approximately 8 to 12,000 infants when its use was withdrawn. Amusingly, in spite of the fact that thalidomide is unsafe during embryonic growth, the drug continues to be utilized in certain instances such as in treating leprosy and certain cancers.
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