What Does a Geneticist Do?
A geneticist is one who studies and works to apply knowledge of genetics, a branch of biological sciences that involves heredity and natural variation in living organisms. Geneticists primarily focus on the passage of traits from parents to offspring through generations, though this is far from the only area of interest. A geneticist can work in any number of fields ranging from environmental sciences to law. Some geneticists conduct research purely for scientific gain to add to the body of knowledge that scientists have amassed on the topic of genetics.
Gregor Mendel, a priest and scientist in the seventeenth century, is widely regarded as the first geneticist and is often called the "father of genetics." He is known for studying the inheritance of traits in peas, and he determined that traits are inherited based on a specific set of rules. His discoveries formed the foundation of the modern field of genetics, and are widely studied in schools. Those planning to study or pursue a career in genetics will undoubtedly study Mendelian genetics early on in their educations.
There are many different branches of genetics that a geneticist can choose to go into, and each offers a unique batch of challenges and interesting subjects. Some geneticists go into agriculture and use their knowledge of genetics to try to increase crop yield and increase resistance to various diseases that commonly affect valuable crops. Biomedicine applies a knowledge of genetics and of the genetic origin of some diseases to creating medicines that target the genetic causes of such diseases and disorders. Biomedical professionals who focus on genetics also seek to treat genetic disorders that some people experience from birth, such as sickle-cell anemia.
Forensic scientists often utilize a knowledge of genetics to run DNA tests in order to verify the guilt or innocence of various suspects. A geneticist may be called to assist an archaeologist or historian in analyzing ancient organic matter. Some geneticists get into the field of bioinformatics, which combines computer science with biology. In bioinformatics, scientists attempt to analyze huge amounts of information, such as that in the human genome, or summation of human genetic information, and draw scientific conclusions from it.
The field of genetics has produced some interesting legal issues, especially in the area of intellectual copyright laws. As such, a geneticist might even find work in a legal field. The ethics of genetic engineering and the legality of organizations or individuals copyrighting genes are issues of increasing prominence that invite many strong opinions.
Written by Daniel Liden
