Ask A Scientist Molecular Biology Archive

name Howard 
status other 
grade other 
location N/A 

Question - I have heard that all of biology can be summed up in one 
phrase: genes are what proteins use to make more proteins and proteins 
are what genes use to make more genes. Is this an accurate 
statement? Does this mean that when we understand the functions of all 
genes and proteins, people could be programmed at conception like computers?
---------------------------------------
The way I learned it is that "you are what proteins you make" since they 
catalyze all the chemical reactions that occur in the body and they form a 
lot of the structures in organisms. In turn, DNA determines what proteins 
you make, and proteins (specifically enzymes) catalyze the synthesis 
(replication) of DNA. So it's all kind of circular. This, however, does not 
necessarily imply that we will ever be able to redesign (reprogram) living 
organisms by manipulating their DNA. I think it is highly unlikely that 
scientist will ever be able to do this.

Ron Baker, Ph.D.
====================================================================