New Exhibit Encourages Self-Reflection at the Natural History Museum

by Sarah Elzas

The newest exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), The Genomic Revolution, is like a life-sized, colorful, interactive biology textbook. But contrary to some opinions about bio texts, this exhibit is fun, making you think about the complex issues surrounding genomics by asking introspective questions. The exhibit culminates in a hands-on lab where you can actually see your own DNA.

The study of genomics is different from genetics, the study of heredity, although they intersect at many points. Genomics looks at the genome, all the genetic material in the chromosomes of an organism, as a whole. To explore it, the exhibit starts with a screen showing a colorful cascade of the 3.2 billion DNA bases (see photo at right).

Every living organism has genes, but this exhibit is decidedly human-based. The first interactive station compares humans with other living things—roundworm, yeast, chimpanzee, etc. As you push a button corresponding to an organism, a camera snaps a shot of your face and puts it up next to the picture of what you selected, displaying a graph of your shared genetic code—seven percent with bacteria, 98 percent with the chimp.

Three polling stations throughout the exhibit ask you questions such as “What is your greatest fear about genomics research?” that were used in a nationwide survey conducted by the AMNH. The polls compare your answers with the national responses.

“There are still more questions than answers,” said Ellen Futter, President of the Museum, about the field of genomics. And those questions are clearly set out over the course of the exhibit. Topics include Our Genetic Identity (nature vs. nurture), medical uses of gene therapy, and genetic enhancement (choosing genes). They are addressed with text on the walls as well as first-hand accounts and video narratives. “The science in the exhibition is woven into the human issues,” explained the curator, Rob DeSalle.

“There is a good chance that a human might be cloned when this exhibit closes in January,” explained DeSalle. Thus, “it’s been designed to be updated as we go.”

One may ask, however, why the AMNH is so concerned with human genomics. Along with the exhibit, the AMNH is also opening an Institute for Comparative Genomics that will use a new, 10,000-square foot frozen tissue lab that can hold up to 32 million specimens. According to Futter, the non-human genetic research that will take place there will complement and enrich human biomedical research.

“Current genomic research does not focus enough on other species,” said Dr. Michael Novacek, Senior Vice President and Provost of the Museum. The research will contribute to the creation of a ‘tree of life’ that will map the way species interact with each other.

In the learning lab at the end, technicians show you what these genes are all about. They have you swish salt water in your mouth to gather cheek cells. Then, using soap followed by rubbing alcohol, they separate the cells from the water, break them down and pull out strings of your DNA. This may be the best visual aid of all. It is here that you realize that the questions framed by the exhibit, pertain not to researchers, farmers or doctors, but to you. The very substance of the entire exhibit lies right inside your mouth.

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