Genetics

Genetics is the branch of biology that studies the transmission of inherited characteristics from parents to offspring. It focuses on the role of genes and the patterns and processes of inheritance, the variations in the transmitted DNA and the function of these variations in development and evolution. Genetics is vital for understanding the relationship between organisms and their environment, as well as for understanding the genetics-based health risks humans face. It also plays an important role in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease and heart disease. Genetics is also key in the production of new crop varieties, in the development of new medicines, and in finding new and better ways of eradicating pests and weeds.