I don't claim expertise beyond scanning numerous reports in /Science/,
but what I've observed is that matching genes are given the original
names. The roundworm, dipteran, mouse, human, etc., are indicated where
relevant. These names often reflect the nationality of the discoverer. I
have seen no indication that there are official restrictions on naming
genes. But, given the number discovered, I doubt that any agency could
keep up.
Dave
On Fri, 26 May 2006 10:02:16 -0400 "George Murphy" <gmurphy@raex.com>
writes:
> Thanks to those who explained the origins of some gene names. A
> follow-up:
> Is there any group in the genetics community that makes such names
> "official," as there is in astronomy with asteroids, Kuiper belt
> objects &c
> or in chemistry/physics with chemical elements? Discoverers in
> those fields
> generally have the right to give names but sometimes there are
> disputes &
> some names probably would be unacceptable. I think there'd be a
> problem
> with naming an asteroid "Hitler" or a new element (which there are
> not
> likely to be many more of) "Stalinium" - not to mention names that
> many
> would consider obscene, blasphemous, &c.
>
> Shalom
> George
> http://web.raex.com/~gmurphy/
>
>
>
Received on Fri May 26 14:08:37 2006
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