When Punnet Squares Become Romantic (and Enzymes Become Rakes)

Peas. Yellow peas and green peas. Oh, and flowers! Yes, there were purple and white flowers.

Maybe that's all you remember about Mendelian genetics. Perhaps it has been many years since you last took any high school or college biology class, so you don't recall much (except that your teacher made a point of telling you about peas and flowers). But the heart of genetic--genes, DNA, alleles, and phenotypes--is about so much more than the color of plants or if you can roll your tongue. Genetics is about life both past and present.

Genetics can determine whether you live or die, if you can have children, and what kind of life you will live. Even our thoughts and beliefs about genetics affect us in a large way. It may determine if you are an evolutionist or creationist, pro-choice or pro-life, and perhaps even if you believe in God.

Don't believe me? Consider this article from Creation Ministries International:

"Belief in evolution among genetics students fell from 81 per cent to 62 per cent during their course at university, a survey has found. 

The survey asked students in 10 courses at Central Michigan University at the start and end of a semester about their beliefs on creation and evolution. 

The pollsters expressed surprise that an extra one in five of the genetics students abandoned evolutionary belief during their course. 

Among other results, 81 per cent of the students thought creation should be taught in public schools, 60 per cent thought this would not be allowing religion into the schools, and 60 per cent thought textbooks and school curricula should be changed to present both creation and evolution. Creation/Evolution, Summer 1994 (pp. 27-29)." (http://creation.com/focus-171)

So does genetics matter? Well, it depends. Do you like being alive?

Stay tuned for more.