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.