Genetics, put simply, is the study of genes! A geneticist may be interested in heredity (how genes are passed on), variability (the many forms of one gene), interaction (how genes work with one another), or large-scale population phenomena. One of the really exciting things about genetics is that it allows us to compare and contrast different organisms, both living and dead. Genome mapping offers insight into how close we as Homo sapiens are to other organisms like the extinct Homo neandertalensis or even a banana!
The study of genetics is also very important to health and the medical community. People living with genetic conditions like Von Willebrand's Disease, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and muscular dystrophy rely on the work of geneticists for a better understanding of their illness. Genetic medicine can help doctors develop better treatments and even cures for genetic disorders.
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