The Human Genome Project

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The Human Genome Project
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What is the Human Genome Project?

• U.S. govt. project coordinated by the Department
  of Energy and the National Institutes of Health,
  launched in 1986 by Charles DeLisi.
• Definition GENOME the whole hereditary
  information of an organism that is encoded in the
  DNA.
• Aims of the project
• - to identify the approximate 100,000 genes in
  the human DNA.
• - determine the sequences of the 3 billion bases
  that make up human DNA.
• - store this information in databases.
• - develop tools for data analysis.
• - address the ethical, legal, and social issues
  that arise from genome research.

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Cutting DNA

• DNA molecules from most organisms are much too
  large to be analyzed,_at_ so they must first be cut
  into smaller pieces by restriction enzymes._at_
• Many bacteria produce restriction enzymes that
  cut DNA molecules into precise pieces, called
  restriction fragments that are several hundred
  bases in length.
• Of the hundreds of known restriction enzymes,
  each cuts DNA at a different sequence of
  nucleotides.

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Cutting DNA

• For example, the EcoRI restriction enzyme
  recognizes the base sequence GAATTC.

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Separating DNA

• Once DNA has been cut by restriction enzymes,
  scientists can use a technique known as _at_gel
  electrophoresis to separate and analyze the
  differently sized fragments. _at_

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Reading DNA

• _at_Lastly the strands are chemically dyed._at_
• The order of colored bands on the gel tells the
  exact sequence of bases in the DNA.

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Whose genome is being sequenced?

• the first reference genome is a composite genome
  from several different people.
• generated from 10-20 primary samples taken from
  numerous anonymous donors across racial and
  ethnic groups.

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Benefits of Human Genome Project research

• - improvements in medicine.
• - microbial genome research for fuel and
  environmental cleanup.
• - DNA forensics.
• - improved agriculture and livestock.
• - better understanding of evolution and human
  migration.
• - more accurate risk assessment.

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How is each area benefited specifically by the
Human Genome Project?

• Improvements in medicine improved diagnosis of
  disease.
• Microbial research new energy sources, bio
  fuels.
• DNA forensics identifying potential suspects at
  a crime scene.
• Agriculture more nutritious produce.
• Evolution and human migration study migration of
  different population groups based on female
  genetic inheritance.
• - Risk assessment reduce the likelihood of
  heritable mutations.

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Ethical, legal and social implications of the
Human Genome Project

• fairness in the use of genetic information.
• privacy and confidentiality.
• psychological impact and stigmatization.
• genetic testing.
• reproductive issues.
• education, standards, and quality control.
• commercialization.
• conceptual and philosophical implications.

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What are the implications of the Human Genome
Project specifically to each of these areas?

• Some questions to consider
• Fairness and privacy who should have access to
  your genetic information?
• Psychological stigmatization how does knowing
  your predisposition to disease affect an
  individual?
• Genetic testing should screening be done when
  there is no treatment available?
• Some other issues
• Reproductive issues use of genetic information
  in decision making.
• Clinical issues implementation of standards and
  quality control measures in testing procedures.

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