Comparing to the other scientific disciplines such as physics and chemistry, biology is a new member to the natural sciences family. By the time that Francis Crick and James Watson published their proposed model for the structure of DNA in 1953, Erwin Schrödinger has already worked out his famous equation to quantify the wave model of atomic structure. At about the same time, physicists were delving into subatomic particles and nuclear reactions.
Despite its status as the new kid to the science neighborhood, biology has grown very rapidly during the past 50 years. By the late 1980s, biologists were ready to embark upon one of the greatest feats of exploration in history: the Human Genome Project (HGP). This international research effort spearheaded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) seeks to sequence and map all the genes of members of the human species, Homo sapiens. According to Nobel laureate Walter Gilbert, this is “the Holy Grail of biology” (Shreeve 2005).
Big ambitions naturally bring up big competitions. In 1998, entrepreneur Craig Venter announced that his private company Celera Genomics would utilize state-of-the-art sequencer and some of the world’s fastest computers to sequence and assemble the human genome. He proposed that the work of his company would beat the NIH-directed HGP by several years. Never mind what implications this announcement had on altering the public’s perception of the government-sponsored research project; Venter’s declaration certainly challenged the classic paradigm of how science should be conducted.
James Shreeve’s The Genome War delves into this clash between traditions and new beliefs by providing a behind-the-scenes look at the ferocious competition to map the human genome. Altho...
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...ifferent disciplines. With this in mind, I really do appreciate Ventor’s comment that his “greatest talent was hiring people smarter than he was” and combining their effort into finalizing one task (Shreeve 2005). This is the height of collaborative research in modern science, where each person contributes his/her own specialty in creating something greater than each individual part.
The Genome War is a fascinating read filled with dualism that contrasted the old against the new, the science against public understanding, and the personalities of scientists against the typical portrayal of someone who works in a lab. Among others, it portrays the magnitude of the project for readers to appreciate.
References
Shreeve J. 2005. The genome war: How Craig Venter tried to capture the code of life and save the world. Random House Digital, Inc., New York, New York.
The PBS documentary “Nova – Cracking Your Genetic Code” tells about the genome sequencing technology: its current possibilities, advantages, disadvantages and future potential. The system became cheaper, faster and more available since the first human genome was fully sequenced in 2000. Modern companies use the technology to provide clients with the information about their genes and impacts they can have on owners’ health. Hospitals can provide more accurate diagnosis and personalized treatments with the aid of the genome sequencing. The video shows several examples of these benefits. But it mentions concerns about the quality of services, risks of exaggerated
In the late twentieth century, the field of biotechnology and genetic engineering has positioned itself to become one of the great technological revolutions of human history. Yet, things changed when Herber Boyer, a biochemist at the University of California, founded the company Genentech in 1976 to exploit the commercial potential of his research. Since then the field has exploded into a global amalgam of private research firms developing frivolous, profit-hungry products, such as square trees tailor-made for lumber, without any sort of government regulation.
In 1990, the first great stride of genetics took place. This was called the Human Genome Project, a large-scale operation that was designed to understand the human genome (genetic structure). Since its commencement, there have been many leaps and bounds that have taken place. For certain genetic issues that we once knew nothing about, we no...
Zielinski, Sarah (22 January 2010). Cracking The Code of The Human Genome. Smithsonian.com. Retrieved from www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/henrietta-lacks-immortal-cells-6421299/?no-ist
At times, regardless of the setbacks, rivalry can be advantageous by giving people the inspiration to continue. Debating on whether to give up the race, Watson realizes the full implications this scientific competition has: “But if I went back to pure biology, the advantage of our small head start over Linus (Pauling) might suddenly vanish,” (Watson 144). The grand quest for finding the structure of DNA is too great for Watson to pass up. Not only does this head start inspire Watson to continue studying DNA, but it convinces him to work even harder. While the desire to quickly find a solution can be too daunting to appease, even the notion of being in the lead can be enough incentive to strive for the goal which is a definite positive effect for Watson. But for every positive advantage, there is a negative setback that other competitors may impose.
The more we know about genetics and the building blocks of life the closer we get to being capable of cloning a human. The study of chromosomes and DNA strains has been going on for years. In 1990, the Unites States Government founded the Human Genome Project (HGP). This program was to research and study the estimated 80,000 human genes and determine the sequences of 3 billion DNA molecules. Knowing and being able to examine each sequence could change how humans respond to diseases, viruses, and toxins common to everyday life. With the technology of today the HGP expects to have a blueprint of all human DNA sequences by the spring of 2000. This accomplishment, even though not cloning, presents other new issues for individuals and society. For this reason the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) was brought in to identify and address these issues. They operate to secure the individuals rights to those who contribute DNA samples for studies. The ELSI, being the biggest bioethics program, has to decide on important factors when an individual’s personal DNA is calculated. Such factors would include; who would have access to the information, who controls and protects the information and when to use it? Along with these concerns, the ESLI tries to prepare for the estimated impacts that genetic advances could be responsible for in the near future. The availability of such information is becoming to broad and one needs to be concerned where society is going with it.
The book Genome by Matt Ridley tells the story of the relationship between genome and life by examining the twenty three chromosomes of the human DNA. Each chromosome literally and metaphorically becomes a chapter in the literal and metaphorical book of DNA. In this book of DNA, Ridley examines a particular aspect of the chromosomes chapter by chapter to see how it affects life and humanity’s understanding of life, humans and genetics itself. Although each chapter dives into different aspects of DNA and gathers stories as varied as the genes’ applications, Ridley connects them with important ideas about life and humanity’s understanding of life.
Watson, James D. "The Human Genome Project: A Personal View." Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum. 7th ed. Ed.
Epigenetics is the word that is used for genes that are modified in order to assist certain genome sequences that lead to diseases and disorders. Epigenetics has come a long way since the first genome sequence had its draft breakthrough in the year 2000 (NOVA 2012). From depression to cancer, epigenetics has made its way through to provide families with the appropriate knowledge and perhaps medication in order to avoid these diseases and disorders in the future.
The genetic technology revolution has proved to be both a blessing and a blight. The Human Genome Project is aimed at mapping and sequencing the entire human genome. DNA chips are loaded with information about human genes. The chip reveals specific information about the individuals’ health and genetic makeup (Richmond & Germov 2009).The technology has been described as a milestone by many in that it facilitates research, screening, and treatment of genetic conditions. However, there have been fears that the technology permits a reduction in privacy when the information is disclosed. Many argue that genetic information can also be used unfairly to discriminate against or stigmatize individuals (Willis 2009).
Ridley, M. (1999). Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters. New York: HarperCollins.
Assessing the consequences of the information that the Human Genome Project may yield must be taken into consideration; the medical benefits must be weighed on a balanced scale with the ethical and moral ramifications to properly size up what we will do in the future. Residents of the Rio Grande Valley must be prepared to deal with the positive and negative aspects of this modern revolution that we call genetics.
The Human Genome Project is essential for the human race to advance. With the ability to decimate human disease and even boost food resources, people will increase life expectancy alongside decreasing the percent of people around the world who go hungry each day. There can even be limits placed on Legal aspects of The Human Genome Project results that appease civil rights activists and will preserve ethics and diversity while still improving mankind. Humans will never have to fear disease or hunger. The future looks bright for all of mankind.
23andMe, a web-based service that helps customer read and understand their DNA, is an extremely determined firm in the genomic industry with its mission, “To help people access, understand and benefit from the human genome.” (Our mission). The culture of 23andMe was built on its six fundamental values and beliefs. First, “Think big” in terms of utilizing genetic data to modernize health, wellness, and scientific study. Second, “We love DNA” as study of DNA uncovers the secret behind the remarkable human diversity globally.
"The discovery of the structure by Crick and Watson, with all its biological implications, has been one of the major scientific events of this century." (Bragg, The Double Helix, p1) In the story of The Double Helix, James Watson tells of the road that led to the discovery of life's basic building block-DNA. This autobiography gives insight into science and the workings within a professional research laboratory that few members of society will ever be able to experience. It also gives the reader an idea of the reality of life for one scientist and how he struggled with the problem of DNA. However, the author's style is marked by his lack of objectivity and inclusion of many biased opinions and personal prejudices.