FREE ESSAY ON HUMAN GENOME PROJECT

HUMAN GENOME PROJECT

Human Genome Project
The Human Genome Project (HGP) is an international 13 year effort that began in October
of 1990. The main objective of the project is to map the entire human DNA sequence. The
project was planned to last 15 years, but rapid technological advances have moved the
completion date to 2003. A rough draft of the human genome was completed in June 2000.
Efforts are still underway to complete the finished high quality sequence. 
Many laboratories around the United States receive funding from either the Department of
Energy (DOE) or the National Institutes of Health, or from both, for the HGP. Other
researchers at colleges, universities, and laboratories throughout the United States also
receive funding for the project. At any given time, the DOE Human Genome Project funds
about 200 separate investigators. 
At least 18 countries have established human genome research programs. Some of the larger
programs are in Australia, France, Sweden, China and the United Kingdom. Some developing
countries are participating through studies of molecular biology techniques for genome
research and studies of organisms that are particularly interesting to their geographic
regions. The Human Genome Project Organization helps to coordinate international efforts
in the genome project. 
There are many benefits and goals of the Human Genome Project. Rapid progress in genome
science and a glimpse into its potential applications have helped observers to predict
that biology will be the the most important science of the 21 century. Aside from its
medical and scientific benefits, the development of genomics research presents U.S.
industry with many opportunities. The Consulting Resources Corporation Newsletter (Spring
1999) said that the sale of DNA based products and technologies in the biotechnology
industry are rejected to exceed $45 billion by 2009. 
One of the goals of the project is improved knowledge in the area of molecular medicine.
Increasingly detailed maps have aided researchers seeking genes associated with dozens of
genetic conditions, including inherited colon cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and familial
breast cancer. Also, molecular medicine will benefit with the improved diagnosis of
disease, rational drug design, gene therapy and pharmaceutical "custom drugs". 
Another area that will benefit is that of Microbial Genetics. Despite our reliance on the
inhabitants of the microbial world, we know little of their number or their nature.:
estimates are that less than 0.01% of all microbes have been identified. Also, expected
benefits include developments of diverse new products, processes, and test methods that
will open the door to a cleaner environment. Biomanufacturing will use nontoxic chemicals
and enzymes to reduce the cost and improve the efficiency of industrial processes.
Already, microbial enzymes are being used to bleach paper pulp, stone wash denim, remove
lipstick from glassware and break down starch in brewing. 
Risk assessment is something else that will come from the project. This involves
assessing health damage and risks caused by radiation exposure,including low-dose
exposures, assessing health damage and risks caused by exposure to mutagencic chemicals
and cancer causing toxins, and reducing the likelihood of heritable mutations. 
Understanding genomics will help us understand human evolution and the common biology we
share with all of life. Comparative genomics between humans and other organisms such as
mice already has led to similar genes associated with diseases and traits. Further
comparative studies will help determine the yet unknown function of thousands of other
genes. Comparing the DNA sequences of entire genomes of different microbes will provide
new insights about relationships amount the three kingdoms of life: archeabacteria,
eukaryotesand prokaryotes. 
DNA forensics or DNA fingerprinting is another area that will be greatly affected by the
completion of the project. Any type of organism can be identified by examination of DNA
sequences unique to that species. Identifying individuals can be less precise at this
time, although when DNA sequencing technologies progress further, direct characterization
of very long DNA segments, and possibly even whole genomes, will become possible and will
allow individual identification. To identify individuals, forensic scientists scan about
10 DNA regions that vary from person to person and use the data to create a DNA profile
of the individual (sometimes called a DNA fingerprint). There is an extremely small
chance that another person has the same DNA profile for a particular set of regions.
There are many benefits that will come with DNA fingerprinting. Some include: identifying
potential suspects whose DNA may match evidence left at crime scenes, exonerating people
wrongly accused of crimes, establishing paternity and other family relationships and
matching organ donors with recipients in transplant programs. 
Understanding plant and animal genomes will allow us to create stronger, more disease
resistant plants and animals--reducing the cost of agriculture and providing consumers
with more nutritious foods. Already growers are using bioengineered seeds to grow more
insect and drought resistant crops that require little or no pesticide. Farmers have been
able to increase outfits and reuse waste because their crops and herds are healthier. 
There are several legal and ethical issues and questions surrounding the Human Genome
Project. There has been legislation proposed to deal with some of the potential
difficulties of the project. One of the concerns is fairness in the use of genetic
information by insurers, employers, courts, schools, adoption agencies, and the military,
among others. For example, who should have access to personal genetic information, and
how will it be used? Many people question weather insurance companies and employers have
a right to genetic information.
Clinical questions have also raised. How will genetic test be evaluated and regulated of
accuracy and reliability? Currently, there is little regulation at the federal level.
Also, some scientists and doctors wonder if genetic testing should be performed when
there is no treatment available. 
If the project is indeed completed in the year 2003, we are left with only two years to
sort through potential problems. However, in the eyes of many, the benefits of the Human
Genome Project will far outweigh its risks.