DNA the Genetics of Height Thesis

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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 conditions. 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......

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