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Human Genome Project (HGP) was designed to provided detailed and complete information about the genes in human DNA. Not funded by any private corporation, the HGP will generate information that can be used by a wide variety of agencies and companies in the 21st century and beyond (Guyer & Collins, 1995). With this information, scientists can greatly improve how they perform human research, and the medical implications may have few limits.
When completed, scientists and researchers will have a map of human the 50,000-100,000 genes contained in human DNA. In addition, since some research with genetic implications for humans is done with other organisms, those organisms will also be mapped (McDaniel, 2005). The HGP currently stands as the single most dramatic sphere of biological research, and holds the power to change studies in biology and psychology as well as medicine. Currently in its final stage, parts of the human DNA sequences have...
al., 1998).
The project has been broken into several stages and has already provided important new information about human genes, resulting in ethical questions that require carefully judged and thoughtful answers (Guyer & Collins, 1995). This is because while the information from the HGP provides large amounts of data for researchers, it now can also provide important genetic information for individuals as well. In the past, medicine's understanding of genetics was limited to diseases with clear and easy-to-spot genetic ties, such as Down Syndrome, a developmental problem that causes a variety of physical problems as well as mental retardation, and Huntington's Chorea, a generative neurological disease (Collins et. al., 1998).
However, as our knowledge of genetics has become more sophisticated, we now know that some…
However, as our knowledge of genetics has become more sophisticated, we now know that some genes only provide a tendency or increased chance of developing some diseases (Collins et. al., 1998). In both the cases of clear-cut genetic causation, such as with Huntington's Chorea, and in cases where genetics may play a role, such as in some types of breast cancer, medical professionals as well as patients have to make some difficult decisions (Collins et. al., 1998). Would most people want to know if they were destined to develop Huntington's Chorea, or would they rather not know? Does an individual want to know that he or she carries a gene that can lead to breast cancer even though this knowledge, by itself, cannot predict whether the person will get the disease or not? (Collins et. al., 1998)
Other questions involve the right of individuals to privacy. Once we have human DNA completely mapped, will we then begin to generate detailed genetic profiles of all medical patients? If we do, is this information that can be shared with other organizations, by, for instance, hospitals? If it can be shared, insurance companies might then drop people with genes that make them prone to certain kinds of cancer, or destined to develop some genetically-driven disease such as Huntington's. In those cases, the individuals would get glimpses into their medical future whether they wanted to know what their genes reveal or not.
Advances in genomic science raise innumerable psychosocial questions. The issues underlying the story of the Genetic Revolution are fundamental, even philosophical What is the essence of being human? How much will we try to control the gender, the temperament, and the genetic heritage of our children? How much can we improve on the human condition? Are disabilities to be avoided or embraced? Who has
Genetically Modified Foods What are Genetically Modified Foods? Genetically modified foods (GMF) are created through a biotechnological process known as genetic modification (GM). Genetic modification -- also known as genetic engineering -- alters the genetic makeup of plants, according to the Human Genome Project (HGP). Actually what scientists are doing when they genetically modify a plant is to combine certain genes from different plant species to basically change the DNA in the
Medical Research Funding - Government vs. Private Most research funding comes from two major sources: corporations and government. Some small amounts of scientific research are carried out by charitable foundations, especially in relation to developing cures for chronic diseases. Government funding for medical research amounts to approximately 36% in the U.S. The government funding proportion in certain industries is higher, and it dominates research in social science and humanities. Similarly, with some