Fruit Fly Genetics

It is easy to study genetics (study of the genes) in fruit flies because they only have four chromosomes. The fruit fly genome (all 4 chromosomes) has been mapped. Scientists cause mutations (changes in the DNA code) to certain genes on those chromosomes and observe the results to the fly body parts. Flies can be made with body parts in all the wrong places, like legs where antennae should be and antennae where wings should be. Their eye color, wing shape, antennae size, leg length, and body color can all be manipulated (chosen for them). Imagine if we did that in humans! The day may come.