Genetics with the Fundamentals of Selection - M.P. Myhun - 2008

Chapter VII. Human Genetics (Anthropogenetics)

7.2. History of Human Genetics: The Emergence of Two Concepts

The elucidation of Inheritance patterns in humans began not with Mendelian genetics, but through a different approach pioneered by F. Galton in his 1865 work, "Hereditary Talent and Character." Studying the inheritance of personality traits such as work capacity, intelligence, and physical appearance, Galton evaluated them quantitatively and then analyzed the results obtained from relatives of varying degrees of kinship (parents and children, sibs, or twins). Although this approach could not uncover the underlying mechanisms of inheritance, it proved far more informative than Mendel's method for studying human temperament, intelligence, and mental retardation, which are the cumulative result of multiple genes and environmental factors. These human traits are exceptionally complex and difficult to break down into elementary characters, almost entirely precluding the possibility of Mendelian analysis in the Cytology/cytology/16.html">Early stages of the Selection/4.html">Development of Genetics.

From 1900 to the present day, two core concepts have coexisted: the Mendelian Concept of the Gene and F. Galton's biometric approach. Even today, these two approaches do not mutually exclude one another.

Shortly after their rediscovery, G. Mendel's Laws were applied to explain the inheritance of individual human traits, primarily certain anomalies and diseases. The first major triumph of Mendelian genetics was the recognition of the triallelic Inheritance of the ABO Blood Groups, proposed by F. Bernstein in the 1920s. Molecular biology has had a profound impact on The Development of anthropogenetics. Today, the majority of research in anthropogenetics is conducted from the perspective of modern genetic theory. It turned out that humans, previously considered unsuitable subjects for genetic research, actually possess certain advantages in this regard: large, readily accessible populations for study, a significant number of known Gene Mutations and chromosomal rearrangements, and a well-understood biochemical and physiological Background. Nevertheless, studying the genetics of behavior, intelligence, and various disorders (such as psychosis, Epilepsy, diabetes, and allergies) using Mendel's laws still encounters considerable difficulties, which is why biometric Methods have retained their importance.

Anthropogenetics is a multifaceted science that draws upon modern methods from various scientific disciplines, leading to The Emergence of numerous specialized branches.

Formal genetics studies the inheritance of Mendelian traits in humans.

Human Population Genetics investigates genetic patterns in large populations.

Human biochemical genetics focuses on the Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids, Proteins, and Enzymes in healthy and diseased individuals.

Cytogenetics studies Human Chromosomes in health and pathology.

Immunogenetics is the genetics of blood groups, IMMUNOGLOBULINS, and tissue Antigens.

Behavioral genetics, or psychogenetics, is the science of hereditary factors that determine The behavior of healthy and affected individuals. Researchers are actively searching for the genes responsible for human individuality and cognitive abilities, while studying the Genetic foundations of memory, mental disorders, and psychiatric illnesses. A relatively new field, sociobiology, utilizes these data to explain human social behavior.

Somatic Cell genetics deals with gene mapping and gene transfer at THE CELLULAR LEVEL.

Reproductive genetics examines the specific mechanisms of gamete formation.

Pharmacogenetics investigates the genetic factors that govern the distribution and METABOLISM of drugs within The Human Body.

Human Genetics has not yet reached its desired level of development. Many achievements in Molecular Genetics have not yet been applied to humans, and psychology alongside other social sciences has acquired a substantial, yet still insufficient, genetic foundation. Fantastic Prospects lie ahead for anthropogenetics in the near future. The sequencing of all DNA molecules in human chromosomes was completed between 2000 and 2001. The Human Genome comprises approximately 30,000 structural genes. Knowledge of these genes' Structure makes it possible to use labeled probes to obtain preparations of specific DNA sequences for Practical Applications.