The Human Genome Project Debate :: Science Technology Genetics Papers

The Human Genome Project Debate The Human Genome Project is a 15 year, 3 billion dollar venture whose goals involve identifying the 80,000 genes in human DNA and determining the sequences of the 3 billion chemical bases that make up human DNA. Genes are made up of a threadlike material called DNA. DNA contains four main ingredients, which are called bases. A single gene may contain thousands of bases, so the Human Genome Project (HGP) is not any easy task. First, scientists have to go into the cells nucleus, where the DNA is located. Here the DNA is tightly coiled, so researchers have to uncoil it and then examine the DNA and write down the order of the bases. The order is extremely important because it underlies life's diversity. The ultimate objective of the HGP is to create a directory of the genes that can be used to answer questions such as what specific genes do and how they work. Once all the genes are examined, and their bases described, researchers have to translate what their order means. A genome is the entire DNA in an organism, including its expressed genes. These genes carry the codes for making all the proteins the organism requires. These proteins determine everything from how the organism looks to how it behaves. The HGP has been progressing very rapidly. Because of its rapid success, a new set of goals were arranged for the 1998-2003 year period. The first goal is to complete the sequencing of the human genome and to make it publicly available to researchers so they can all work together to better the human condition. Included in this goal is to improve technology so that there is a more efficient way of sequencing DNA. Advancing technology includes decreasing the cost of current technology, funding for new technology, and effective review methods for implementing advanced technology development. Variations in human genomes include the most common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP's), deletions, insertions, and duplications. One goal of the HGP is to gain a better understanding of the types and frequencies of these variations and their possible functional purpose. Mapping SNP's will aid in researching conditions such as cancer and mental retardation. These maps may also be applicable in identifying genes that contribute to increasing disease risk. Another major goal of the HGP is determining the functions of genes. Once the complete genome sequence is discovered, the interpretation of the sequence still needs to be done.