Science beyond CSI

Genomes: what are they? “The entire genetic information content of an organism. The human genome is the genetic content of humans. We’re a lot more similar than we think. Our genomes are 99.9 per cent the same as each other — from us to Einstein to Clifford Olson. And humans share 35 per cent of their DNA with daffodils.” Genome B.C.: what is it? “It invests in and manages large-scale research projects to do with human health, forestry, fisheries, ethics, agriculture and the environment, and it has several education and outreach projects.” Geneskool On the Road: cool? “It’s a Genome BC outreach program that we take throughout the province introducing high school students to molecular biology and genomics. The workshops allow students to be crime-scene technicians. Students get to isolate DNA and solve a murder mystery, among other things/ We change the mystery every academic year so students don’t know the details before the workshop.This year’s is a man who’s been stabbed to death with a pitchfork.” Genetics: negative image? “Genetics has so much promise. But it’s often portrayed as the ‘evil science’ in movies now. It used to be the nuclear scientist but now it’s the genetic researcher. Spiderman is a great example. In the original comic, Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider and in the movie he was bitten by a genetically modified spider.” Genetics on TV: good or bad? “Both. The CSI series has generated a lot of interest in DNA and science. But it often has lots of inaccuracies. Comparing DNA samples should take several days but they do it in five minutes. My fiancé won’t watch CSI with me because I ‘ruin’ it!”