Genetike

Genetike is the branch of biology that studies genes, heredity and variation in organisms. It seeks to understand how traits are transmitted from parents to offspring, how genetic variation arises, and how genes influence development, health and behavior. The field combines biology, statistics and informatics to explain biological diversity and disease.

The modern science began with Gregor Mendel's 19th-century pea experiments, which established basic patterns of inheritance. In the early 20th century, the chromosome theory linked genes to chromosomes, and in 1953 the structure of DNA revealed how genetic information is stored and copied. Since then, molecular genetics and genomics have expanded our ability to map, sequence and edit genes.

Core concepts include genes, alleles, genotypes and phenotypes, as well as modes of inheritance such as Mendelian and polygenic traits. Molecular genetics examines gene expression, regulation and the genetic code, while genomics studies entire genomes using sequencing and computational analysis. Other subfields include population genetics, evolutionary genetics and epigenetics.

Key techniques include PCR, DNA sequencing, genome-wide association studies, and genome editing with tools such as CRISPR-Cas9. Applications span medicine (genetic testing, diagnosis, gene therapy and personalized medicine), agriculture (breeding for yield and resilience), conservation, and forensics.

Ethical, legal and social considerations address privacy, consent, equitable access, and governance of genetic modification and data use.