Genes are the working parts of DNA - the vast chemical database that forms the blueprint for humans, animals, plants, insects and bacteria. Both humans and microscopic worms have about 19,000 genes (only about a QUARTER the number of people at a Man. U. match!).

We share about:

98% of our genes with an ape
80% with a mouse
50% with a fruitfly
20% with a tiny worm

Genetics is the study of genes and the chromosomes that house them:

How do genes work?
How do mistakes in genes cause disease?
How are they passed on from generation to generation
How can genes be changed?
How can genes be added to an animal or a plant?
What job does each gene in a human have?

Genetics in the real world:

Diagnoses and treats disease
Improves crops to feed the world's population
Develops new drugs and therapies
Conserves endangered species
Preserves our environment