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.
Lecture/Slide Show by Jeff Dawson, master
gardener from Fetzer Vineyards, on specialty and heirloom vegetables and
the improtance of biodiviersity in the plant world.
Seed Saving
Demonstration
Seed Give-Away
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.
Display of roses by two dozen growers, including a variety of
new hybrids and a rose "family tree."
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.
Lecture by
Jasper Rine on Dog Genome Project
research underway at UCBerkeley, including live examples of an interbred
dog family!
Dog Diversity Showcase: 15 dog rescue group
representatives and their dogs demonstrate the genetic diversity existing
in this single species.
Demonstration/prese
ntation from Marin County Search and Rescue of the genetically determined
behavior of bloodhounds.
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
