Verified Document

DNA The Genetics Of Height Thesis

A common prescription given to children to quell symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) can have an impact on the height of growing children. Most cases of ADHD are treated with stimulants, such as the commonly prescribed Ritalin. These stimulants are thought by researchers to have an impact increasing height in small variations (Goldman 2010). Thus, other factors help continue influence on height.

Extremes, like dwarfism and gigantism, present abnormal genetic situations which result in defects in normal height creation. These abnormalities make typical strategies for scientists to estimate the height of normal individuals obsolete. In cases of such defects, scientists have to examine skeletal growth and make a prediction based on prior growth patterns (Paley et al., 2005). Predicting height in androplastic dwarves can also conducted using the multiplier method, which uses the division of height at maturity by the eight at individual ages, this would then be conducted within the context of both genders (Paley et al. 2005).

Research suggests that there is a plethora of other genes working together to determine the height of any given individual. According to research, the factor of height is polygenic, meaning "many genes contribute towards making us taller or shorter," (Connor 2007). These other genes responsible also rule over other conditions or abnormalities which might occur. Unusually "tall people run a greater risk of certain diseases such as cancers of the bladder, prostate and lungs," (Connor 2007). People carrying the HGMA2 gene tend to have vulnerability to certain...

GDF5 has also been linked to prediction of osteoporosis. Additionally, "There seems to be a definite link between height and the risk of developing certain diseases," (Connor 2007). Scientists know that there is a multitude of different genes that affect height, it is unclear to them, however, how these genes work together to produce the final height results within the context of different individuals.
References

Anitei, Stefan. (2007). Breakthrough: the first human gene linked to height ever discovered! Microbiology / Genetics. Softpedia. Retrieved February 21, 2010 from http://news.softpedia.com/news/Breakthrough-the-First-Human-Gene-Linked-to-Height-Ever-Discovered-64548.shtml

Connor, Steve. (2007). Newly discovered height gene has disease link. The Independent. Retrieved February 21, 2020 from http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/newly-discovered-height-gene-has-disease-link-401275.html

Goldman, Ran D. (2010). ADHD stimulants and their effect on height in children. Canadian Family Phsycian. 56(2):145-146.

Paley, Dror; Matz, Alexander L.; Kurland, David B.; & Bradley, M. (2005). Multiplier method for prediction of adult height in patients with Achondroplasia. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics. 25(4):539-542.

Vaes, R.B.A.; Rivadeneira, F.; Kerhofm J.M.; Hofman, a.; Pols, H.A.; Uitterlinden, a.G.; & van Meurs, J.B.J. (2009). Genetic variation in the GDF5 region is associated with osteoarthritis, height, hip axis length, and fracture risk: the Rotterdam study. Ann Rhuem Dis. 68(11):1754-1760.

Sources used in this document:
References

Anitei, Stefan. (2007). Breakthrough: the first human gene linked to height ever discovered! Microbiology / Genetics. Softpedia. Retrieved February 21, 2010 from http://news.softpedia.com/news/Breakthrough-the-First-Human-Gene-Linked-to-Height-Ever-Discovered-64548.shtml

Connor, Steve. (2007). Newly discovered height gene has disease link. The Independent. Retrieved February 21, 2020 from http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/newly-discovered-height-gene-has-disease-link-401275.html

Goldman, Ran D. (2010). ADHD stimulants and their effect on height in children. Canadian Family Phsycian. 56(2):145-146.

Paley, Dror; Matz, Alexander L.; Kurland, David B.; & Bradley, M. (2005). Multiplier method for prediction of adult height in patients with Achondroplasia. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics. 25(4):539-542.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Genetics and Child Development Child
Words: 1393 Length: 5 Document Type: Term Paper

Hence, genetic factors underlie the stability or continuity of psychological traits. Gene Development Mutations play a vital role in genetics, although they cause different disorders living things. Sometimes heredity causes disorders that affect the normal genetic development. Genetic processes control how humans develop from a single cell to adult human beings. Genes control the nervous system cells, and re-growth of skin and hair cells. Genes make humans dynamic organisms capable of

Genetics: Study of Biological Information
Words: 931 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

The information is then transcribed into the traits and phenotypes of the offspring depending on the dominance and recessive alleles within the gene (Berg, Tymoczko, & Stryer, n.d). The egg is fertilized by the sperm from the mother and their nuclei fuses together to form a zygote. The zygote contains 23 chromosomes from the mother and 23 from the father. From this combination of genes and the environmental conditions

Genetics Option 3: Darwin's Perspective According to
Words: 1309 Length: 4 Document Type: Term Paper

Genetics Option 3: Darwin's Perspective According to Darwin, the survival of a species is determined by the degree of strength of its members. Thus, the "fittest" in terms of physical prowess as well as to a degree mental capacity survives. Human beings have long used their mental capacity to overcome the challenges of the physical environment. The very first discoveries of tools, fire and the wheel have set the species apart from

Genetics Affects Child Development Genetic
Words: 1598 Length: 5 Document Type: Research Paper

The following images show certain disorders that result due to mutation. Children born from the same family members' shows higher similarity index regarding the genetic disorder number inclusive of the Indian community (Cummings, 2010, pg 333). Curbing gene disorders Stoppage of varying types of disorders is possible through learning in consideration of human development the number of genes contained in a single genome, their respective location and the establishment of functions

DNA Analysis on Criminal Cases'
Words: 3648 Length: 9 Document Type: Term Paper

" Giannelli (2003) stresses that advantages and reliability of scientific and technical evidence depend on whether a scientific culture exists. For reliability of DNA and other scientific evidence, there have to be sufficient written protocols and "an empirical basis for the most basic procedures." (Giannelli, 2003) Barry Scheck, Peter Neufeld, and Jim Dwyer (cited by Giannelli, 2003) conclude that their investigations revealed that a third of the criminal convictions of 62

Future of DNA Testing the
Words: 2054 Length: 7 Document Type: Research Proposal

The scientists ran the DNA computer only in a test tube. They foresaw the need for an injectable version for intracellular activities, which could take decades to devise.7 In response to the fear of nonscale robots going around inside the body, the scientists said they placed safeguards into their systems.7 When more reliable DNA computers are invented with fewer mistakes, people could become more comfortable with injectable robots and accept

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now