Consider that moment when science begins to tackle the real questions of the supernatural and preternatural in The Book of Life. In other words, let’s revisit our favorite American science lab in the Kline Biology Tower. While it is easy to focus on the immediate work of identifying what causes blood rage, the true study going on among Chris’s team is actually “what defines a creature.” Spoiler alert: it is chromosomes!

In actuality though, chromosomes were always going to be the answer. Chromosomes are neat little packets of DNA, the genetic material that carries the blueprint for modern life. Most of the time, we define a species based on the composition of that DNA, packaged into a neat set of (non-variable) chromosome numbers. Is it possible then for creatures and humans to really be part of the same species, given their chromosomal variability?

In this workshop, we’ll tackle that very topic. Speculation will abound; as always, Deb has the true answers…