Human Genome Project

A genome is defined as "all the DNA in an organism, including its genes." These genes are responsible for the features, appearance, behavior, and functions of the organism. The Human Genome Project is a collective effort between the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, and Russia plus some private companies such as the Genome Therapeutics Corporation. The objective is to map the 23 human chromosomes including their size, shape, patterns, where disorders are found on them, and what codes for what through scientific research, experiments, and new technology.

The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health began the U.S. Human Genome Project in October 1990. This year the U.S. government has dedicated $303.2 million to the effort and each fiscal year, the sum grows. For years, scientists have wondered which chromosome caused Down syndrome, breast cancer, and many other genetic disorders. The project is set to be finished in October 2005 and when the halfway point passed in April 1998 researchers were a year ahead of schedule. The researchers' main goal is to identify all of the genes in human DNA and to determine the sequences of the chemical bases of the DNA. The information will then be stored in databases and tools will be developed for data analysis. A five-year plan has recently been set for the years 1998-2003. Scientists in the project will attempt to finish one-third of the human DNA sequence and complete a working draft of the remainder by the end of 2001. They hope to have the entire human sequence completed before the beginning of 2004. The researchers will also be developing technology in the field and extensive genomic resources over the next five years.

So far, the Human Genome Project has been very successful and has made much progress. As of October 1998, the sequences for the common human gut bacterium, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and yeast are complete. 80% of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and 9% of Drosophila has been sequenced. Many evolutionary improvements and innovative technologies have also been made. The U.S. Human Genome Project now has a 90 Mb/year capacity at approximately $0.50 per base. Capillary array electrophoresis has been validated and microfabrication is feasible. Chromosomes 3, 7, 11, 12, 22, and X have been at least medium-quality mapped as well.

The Human Genome Project is also mapping the genomes for nonhuman organisms. Fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), laboratory mouses (Mus musculus), nematode worms (C. elegans), yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and bacteria (E. coli) are all being researched and mapped for their genomes. Many genes have similar functions and, when researched, show surprising likenesses and can be used to study human genes.

Many people are concerned about the effects of the Human Genome Project (or HGP). About 3% of the Department of Energy's yearly budget has been dedicated to the study of the ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) of the project and 5% of the National Institutes of Health's budget. This section of the HGP is concerned with the use, privacy, and confidentiality of genetic information as well as the impact of the info on individuals and society. ELSI's issues also include reproductive and clinical issues along with the commercialization of products of the HGP. Recently, ELSI set their goals for the next five years. These involve examining the issues surrounding the study of the human DNA sequence and the integration of new genetic technology into health care service. ELSI is also going to explore how the new genetic information may affect philosophical, theological, and ethical perspectives.

There are many publications and articles on the Human Genome Project as many people are interested in it. The Human Genome News cites frequent news and progress on the HGP. The Department of Energy has funded a book by the American Association for the Advancement as part of their Science + Literacy for Health project. It is called Your Genes, Your Choices, written by Catherine Baker. For a basic explanation of the project, any science magazine or Internet search will produce an understanding of the HGP.

There are many practical benefits to learning about the DNA of humans and other organisms. New knowledge in the area can result in new ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent many genetic disorders. Apart from medical, knowing about our DNA can affect the world's condition. It can lead to problem solving in energy sources and environmental cleanup plus better health care. Learning about DNA and gaining an understanding of human biology will give us a better world and a better life, as long as we keep it within the boundaries of ethical, legal, and social concern.

References

Collins et al. "New Goals for the U.S. Human Genome Project: 1998-2003." Science. 23 Oct. 1998: 682-689.

"Human Genome Program Budget History." U.S. Department of Energy. http://www.er.doe.gov/production/ober/hug_budg.html (29 Sept. 1998).

"Human Genome Project." Britannica Online. http://www.eb.com:180/cgi-bin/g?DocF=micro/721/96.html.

Human Genome Project Information. http://www.ornl.gov/hgmis/home.html (16 Nov. 1998).

"Human Genome Proj.: Ethical, Legal, & Social Issues." Human Genome Project Information. http://www.ornl.gov/hgmis/resource/elsi.html (12 May 1998).

Shofield, Matthew. "The Human Genome Project: It's About What We Are--And Could Become." Kansas City Star. 1 Feb. 1998: A1.

Wade, Nicholas. "Rapid gains are reported on genome." New York Times. 28 Sept. 1995: A24.

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