Janet Gogerty's Blog: Sandscript - Posts Tagged "the-double-helix-1968"
Sandscript
Sixty one years ago the scientists Watson and Crick announced that they had determined the double helix structure of DNA. Of course they were not the only experts and the work of another researcher, Rosalind Franklin, is considered to have gone unrecognised, which is why I mention her here. Sadly she died in 1958.
In April 2003 the Human Genome Project was declared complete, much sooner than originally anticipated, assisted by the rapid development of a completely different branch of science, computers. The Human Race now has the complete genetic blueprint to build itself. Human beings have 20,500 genes. Research continues in all directions, discovering our origins, understanding health, finding evidence in crime. Anybody can go on the internet to order a DNA kit.
More importantly the magic letters DNA have provided inspiration for authors everywhere. Cold case crimes can be solved, mad scientists can interfere with nature and human drama will never be the same again. For the first time in history wives cannot hide their baby's parentage. A sperm donor could theoretically have twenty teenagers turn up on his doorstep calling him Daddy.
In my novel 'Brief Encounters of the Third Kind' Professor Stuart Alsop is an expert on genetics, but finds himself the subject of a bizarre experiment at the hands of unknown entities. Musician Emma Dexter thought she was normal till she innocently took part in a genetic research programme. The strange events have repercussions that will last more than a generation.
In April 2003 the Human Genome Project was declared complete, much sooner than originally anticipated, assisted by the rapid development of a completely different branch of science, computers. The Human Race now has the complete genetic blueprint to build itself. Human beings have 20,500 genes. Research continues in all directions, discovering our origins, understanding health, finding evidence in crime. Anybody can go on the internet to order a DNA kit.
More importantly the magic letters DNA have provided inspiration for authors everywhere. Cold case crimes can be solved, mad scientists can interfere with nature and human drama will never be the same again. For the first time in history wives cannot hide their baby's parentage. A sperm donor could theoretically have twenty teenagers turn up on his doorstep calling him Daddy.
In my novel 'Brief Encounters of the Third Kind' Professor Stuart Alsop is an expert on genetics, but finds himself the subject of a bizarre experiment at the hands of unknown entities. Musician Emma Dexter thought she was normal till she innocently took part in a genetic research programme. The strange events have repercussions that will last more than a generation.
Sandscript
I like to write first drafts with pen and paper; at home, in busy cafes, in the garden, at our beach hut... even sitting in a sea front car park waiting for the rain to stop I get my note book out. We
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