DNA

Britain's experiences in nuclear and space science have certainly not been entirely satisfactory, but they should be balanced against the remarkable success of UK medical and biological researchers. More than any other country, Britain has provided the expertise and intellect to bring the world close to a revolution in the way we control human life.

The ticking of this 'biological time bomb' was set off by two young Cambridge scientists in 1953. Francis Crick was British, John Watson was American. Together they discovered the 'secret of life' - the structure of DNA, the material that makes up the genes which control our lives.

At the centre of every cell in our bodies (and in the cells of every other living being) a double helix - or spiral - of DNA (deoxyribonucleic) can be found. This material directs the path of our bodies' growth, from one-cell eggs to fully-fledged adults. Understanding its structure has had staggering consequences.

For instance, British scientists are now close to developing ways of detecting small flaws in the DNA of some unborn children. These can manifest themselves as fatal, or crippling disorders - such as thalassaemia, sickle-cell anaemia, cystic fibrosis, and others.

Brian Harrison: Britain observed. 1945 to the present day; Ernst Klett Verlag, Stuttgart, 1984, page 71