In 1990 the Human Genome Project (HGP) was started, with the intent to better the human race, along with other species of animals. This project would be no small task and not one institution could do this by itself. Thus, the U.S. Department of Energy and National Institutes of Health was chosen to coordinate the plan of mapping the entire human genome. A genome is defined as the entire DNA in an organism, which includes its genes. The estimated completion date of 6this immense project was planned for the year 2005, fifteen years after its beginning (About the human...p.1). But in light of some rapid advances in science and technology, the date is expected to be completed in 2003 to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of Watson and Creaks' discovery of DNA's double helix structure.
What exactly does this project entail? The main purpose is to help better understand all living organisms. In return, the human race can better understand its origins by studying the genetic composition of species. Also scientists plan to identify the 30,000 approximate genes in human DNA and have all the 3 billion chemical base pair sequences determined. Once this is completed, all the information learned will be stored into computer databases, to help with analysis of the genome. Other goals include the transfer of this data to the private sector, so it can help address the legal, social, and ethical issues that may concern the public (About the human…p.2).
What are the potential uses and benefits of this knowledge? In addition to the beneficial knowledge already gained from the HGP, some people believe it will lead to new ways to treat and diagnose a patient. In the future, doctors will be able to prevent the spread of viruses and diseases, which kill numerous people each year. Also, this new gain knowledge will be able to cure different medical problems in the world, which many people have (About the human…p.2). This project will give scientists the ability to pinpoint errors and/or flaws in genes. Thus, it will lead into new types of drugs based on a reasoned approach using gene sequence and the information on protein structure, in contrast to the past trail and error approach. This new approach known as gene therapy treatment, can lead to cures of diseases that are of genetic origin