Diving
Into the Gene Pool

Weekend Events

Exploratorium special events occur during open museu m hours, and are included in the general admission price . Times and locations of events vary.

This series of weekend events presented in conjunction with Diving Into the Gene Pool explores some of the c oncepts underlying modern genetic technologies by comparing them to more established grassroots genetic engineering of plant and animal breeding.


April 23, 1995 - Seedy Science

Biodiversity--the variety of appearances, tastes, and other charac teristics within a kind of food plant--is due to genetic differences, and is a result of human selection and breeding for preferred characteristics. Grassroots genetic technicians known as seed savers preserve particular types of plants to insure continu ing biodiversity.

May 28, 1995 - Blooming Genes

This event showcases the genetic diversity found in a single plant species: the rose. Roses have been bred for centuries from a few wild sources, and now encompass a va st array of cultivated varieties. This genetic selection is achieved through propagation by cutting, made possible because genetic information is preserved throughout the plant. All qualities--from appearance to fragrance--are genetically determined.

June 25, 1995 - Dog Diversity

This event explores the genetic diversity found in a single animal species: canis familiaris--the dog. Most diversity found in the dog species results from human intervention: selective breeding for preferred appearances, behavior, utility, etc.

July 22 & 23, 1995 - Biotechnology Weekend

- - - Under Development - - -
An expl oration, with demonstrations and talks, of some of the special technologies being developed to detect, infer and copy individual genetic markers and sequences, and some of the effects this technology has had and will increasingly have on individuals tryin g to identify, cure, and live with genetic diseases.

August 20, 1995 - DNA Dining

- - - Under Development - - -
Throughout history, people have manipulated plants to produce desired food results. How have old and new techniques of genetic engineering affected the genome of certain foods? A time-honored way of making genetic engineering decisions is by taste! Tasting tables will accompany display of plants grown from the Seedy Science event in April.


The Exploratorium, 3601 Lyon Street, San Francisco, CA 94123