INTERPRETING YOUR GENETICS SUMMIT August 21-28 2017
There's a revolution in genetics afoot, but it's not what most people think.Sixteen years ago, scientists completed the first draft of the human genome, and contrary to predictions that they would find as many as 100,000 genes, they only found about 25,000. Since then, the estimate has been revised downward several times to its present day estimate of 19,000 (Ezkurdia et al. 2014). Compare that to a water flea which has 31,000 genes!
And so, today, scientists are forced to admit that the key to understanding our complexity is not in our protein-coding genes but in the so-called "dark matter" of our genome: the about ~98% of our DNA that doesn't code for proteins at all (they used to call it "junk DNA"), which includes these very important and powerful things called small, non-coding RNAs.
This is why RNAs have been a primary interest of mine over the past few years, and this, I believe, is the heart of the revolution in genetics today.
Just a little background on these RNA's and their implications...
A particular class of small, non-coding RNA called microRNA have been identified as "master regulators" of the genome of individuals, and can be passed between individuals, and circulated throughout an entire species. There is even evidence that they may function as cross-kingdom regulators (for instance, enabling plants and animals to affect the expression of one another's genomes), making it possible to link together the entire web of life in a manner that validates the biotic aspects of the Gaia hypothesis which looks at the entire Earth as a meta-organism. To learn more about this fascinating subjectc you can read my article entitled, Genetic Dark Matter, Return of the Goddess, and the Post-Science Era, or listen to my lecture at the 2016 Functional Forum event in Boulder, CO.
Finally, huge biotech and agrochemical interests know all too well the power of these RNAs because the newest GMO Frankenfood threat on the market is based on RNA interference technology, the consequences of which I believe could be horrifically unhealthy. In fact, the EPA just surreptitiously approved Monsanto/Dow's RNAi corn which is slated to be on your dinner table by the end of the decade. Read more here: The GMO Agenda Takes a Menacing Leap Forward with EPA’s Silent Approval of Monsanto/Dow’s RNAi Corn.
Meet My Father, and Join Us Online...
Now you have a better sense for why I believe we are standing in the midst of a revolution in biology, medicine, and nutrition. And this revolution -- thanks to companies like Monsanto/Dow -- will affect every aspect of our lives, whether we like it or not.
This is also why I believe we all need to become genetically/epigenetically literate on the topic. And what better way than to take part in an online summit on the topic: Interpreting Your Genetics Summit (August 21-28), which is being made available at no cost, and which gives you immediate access to Jeffrey Bland's brilliant talk, "The Current State of Genetics," when you register for access here.
I'm also extremely excited to announce that not only will I be speaking on "RNA and Our Interconnected World," but my own father, Sungchul Ji, PhD, a molecular biologist from Rutgers University, will be speaking at this summit as well on "Particles, Waves and Cellular Mechanisms." This will be his first online appearance.
My father and I overlooking the Flatirons in Boulder, CO, a few months ago.
My father has almost half a century of research under his belt on the topic, and will be sharing a revolutionary new way to understand the cell, our genes, and life as a whole (Warning: my Dad is uber-abstract at times; I've had a lifetime of trying to understand him, and can't say I do entirely yet!)
You'll be hearing more about my father and his work in the future because we co-founded a company called Systome Biomed, which I have been working on behind the scenes this past year, and which I believe will make major contributions to the field of biology, medicine, and nutrition in the coming years.
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