Topic > Overview of the Human Genome Project

IndexTechnical Aspects of HGPBenefits of HGPEthical Issues of HGPConclusionThe Human Genome Project (HGP) is an international collaborative project that aims to identify and tag all locations of every gene in the human species . The HGP in the United States began in 1990 and is expected to take 15 years to map the human genome. Many technological advances have been made since 1990, accelerating the project's progress through 2003. The U.S. HGP is composed of the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which hopes to discover 50,000 to 100,000 human genes and use them for further biological research. The project also involves many other countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom. In addition to the numerous countries participating in the project, there are also numerous commercial companies involved in sequencing. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The $3 billion cooperative price will be used to sequence the possible 3 billion base pairs of human DNA. The possibilities of the information obtained from the project are almost limitless. It is likely to change many biological and medical research techniques and practices used by our medical professionals today. The knowledge that will be gained will help lead to new methods of diagnosing, treating and possibly preventing disease. Thanks to the discovery of the human genome, the possibilities for agriculture, healthcare and new energy are also endless. As we know today, the end result of HGP will be information about the structure, function and organization of DNA. From the beginning, people have been eager to explore the unknown, map their movements, and think about what they have discovered. The maps we made using these treks allow the next explorer to deepen our knowledge about the land, the ocean, the sky, and even ourselves. To remap the innermost layer of human cells, scientists are now embarking on biology's most important mapping expedition: the Human Genome Project. Its task is to recognize the complete set of genetic instructions contained in our cells and read the complete text written in the chemical-genetic language of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). As part of this international project, biologists, chemists, engineers, computer scientists, mathematicians and other scientists will work together to draw different types of biological maps that will allow researchers to orient themselves in the labyrinth of molecules that define the physical traits of a human being. Contained in almost every one of the trillions of cells in the body is a complete copy of the human "genome": all the genes that make up the master blueprint for building a man or woman. About one hundred thousand genes sequestered in the nucleus of each cell are divided into the 46 sausage-shaped genetic structures known as chromosomes. The new map developed through the Human Genome Project will allow researchers to pinpoint specific genes on our chromosomes. The more detailed map will allow scientists to decipher the genetic instructions encoded in the 3 billion nucleotide base pairs that make up human DNA. Analysis of this information is likely to continue well into the 21st century, which will completely change our understanding of how genes control human functions. This knowledge will provide new strategies for the diagnosis, treatment and eventual prevention of human diseases. This will help explain the mysteries of embryonic development and provide usimportant insights into the history of evolution. Over the past 20 years, the development of gene splicing technology has provided scientists with a rare opportunity not only to understand how cells function in disease, but also the molecular basis of their role in daily activities. Using these techniques, scientists have mapped the genetic molecules or genes that control many life processes of common microorganisms. The continuous improvement of these biotechnologies has led researchers to develop a map of human chromosomes, which contains much more genetic information than microorganisms. While these maps are still a bit rough, they have led to the discovery of some important genes. By the mid-1980s, the rapid development of chromosome mapping and other DNA technologies led many scientists to consider mapping all 46 chromosomes of the immense human genome. Detailed, standardized maps of all human chromosomes and knowledge of the nucleotide sequence of human DNA will allow scientists to discover and study genes related to human diseases more efficiently than ever before. This new effort, the Human Genome Project, is expected to last 15 years. to be completed and consists of two main parts. The first, the creation of a map of 23 pairs of chromosomes, should be completed within the first 5-10 years. The second part, that is, the sequencing of the DNA contained in all the chromosomes, could take as long as 15 years. Although DNA sequencing technology has developed rapidly in recent years, even sequencing the amount of DNA contained in a single human chromosome is still too slow and expensive. Therefore, while some Genome Project scientists are developing chromosome maps, others will focus on improving the efficiency and reducing the costs of sequencing technology. Unless these new machines are invented, large-scale sequencing of the human genome will not begin. Technical Aspects of HGPHGP has proposed many goals and they hope to complete them before they are completed in 2003. One of the main goals of the project is to identify 50,000 to 100,000 genes present in DNA. The second goal of the HGP is to sequence the 3 billion chemical bases that make up human DNA. DNA sequencing is the process of determining the order of the "bases" of the chemical building blocks that make up the DNA of the human chromosome. This information will then be stored in a large database so others can use it. HGP hopes to develop tools to analyze this data. Ultimately, HGP hopes to resolve the ethical, legal, and social issues that will undoubtedly arise from the project. As of 10899, the 90% target of the working draft sequence by summer 2000 is at 13.6% of its target (453,968,000 bases). The goal of 100% high-quality finished sequence by 2003 is at 13.8% (466,883,000 bases) of their goal. The DNA used in the project comes from four individuals. This is possible because humans differ in their genetic composition by 0.1% of their DNA. This 0.1% represents all the genetic variability we see and recognize in our society today. In the Genome Project, many different techniques are used to determine the sequence of DNA. The first is to use a new high-resolution mass spectrometer equipped with a vacuum ultraviolet photoionizer to sequence olefinically labeled DNA. This new technology can eliminate the need for gel electrophoresis and radiolabeling when sequencing DNA fragments. This method is achieved by marking the primer with an organometallic compound such as ferrocene. Using the DNA templateoriginal, a new DNA fragment is established on the primer which ends at each occurrence of a specific DNA base. Next, the primers are read in a high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer to determine the mass and sequence. Another technique is automated DNA sequencing. This process is used to speed up the task of DNA sequencing. There are many dyes that can attach specifically to DNA bases. The DNA fragments are then sent through a glass tube containing a transport gel. Then, by using a laser to excite the fragments, each dye will emit a certain color. These colors are then read by the computer, which will provide the DNA sequence. Benefits of HGP The benefits of the Human Genome Project will be more evident throughout the world. Spending on genomic research in U.S. industry is expected to reach $45 billion by 2009. This expected dollar amount is achieved through the sale of DNA-based products and technologies in the biotechnology industry. One of the potential benefits is in the field of molecular medicine. Benefits in this area could include improved disease diagnosis, early detection of certain diseases, and pharmacological gene therapy and control systems. Some new therapies in molecular medicine are expected to appear in the future. These therapies do not treat the symptoms, but focus on the root of the problem. Another area where the benefits of HGP can be achieved is the field of microbial genomics. By sequencing the bacterial genome, the field may be able to find new sources of energy. This could lead to discoveries that can be used for energy production, toxic waste reduction and industrial processing. The HGP is also very useful for understanding human evolution and human migration. It could help scientists discover how humans evolved and how they have evolved today. This will also help understand the common biology we share with all life on earth. Comparing our genome with other genomes can help lead to associations with some characteristic diseases. The last sector that will definitely benefit from HGP is agriculture and livestock farming. This technology can help develop crops resistant to disease, insects and drought, which can bring greater production to the world. This will also help produce healthier, more productive and possibly disease-resistant animals and bring them to market. Most genetic diseases are rare, but in general it is known that more than 3,000 diseases caused by a single genetic change have claimed millions of healthy lives. and productive lives. Today it is almost impossible to cure most of these diseases. But having a gene allows scientists to study its structure and characterize the molecular changes or mutations that cause disease. For example, thanks to the recent discovery of cancer genes, a step forward has been made in understanding the causes of cancer. The goal of the Human Genome Project is to provide scientists with powerful new tools to help them remove research barriers that now prevent them from understanding the molecular nature of other tragic and destructive diseases, such as schizophrenia, alcoholism and Alzheimer's . Murray's disease and manic depression. Genetic mutations can play a role in many of today's most common diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, immune system diseases, and birth defects. These diseases are believed to be caused by complex interactions between genes and environmental factors. Once the disease genes are identified, scientists can study howSpecific environmental factors (such as food, drugs, or pollutants) interact with these genes. Once a gene is located on the chromosome and its DNA sequence determined, scientists can determine which protein is responsible for producing the gene and understand its function in the body. This is the first step to understanding the genetic disease and finally overcoming it. One day, it may be possible to cure genetic diseases by correcting errors in the genes themselves, replacing abnormal proteins with normal proteins, or turning off faulty genes. Ultimately, research from the Human Genome Project will help solve one of life's greatest mysteries: How does a fertilized egg "know" to give rise to so many different specialized cells, such as those that make up muscles, the brain, the heart , eyes, skin, blood and so on? In order for a human or any organism to develop normally, a specific gene or groups of genes must be activated in the right place in the body at exactly the right time of development. The information generated by the Human Genome Project will clarify how to choreograph this tight dance of genetic activity in the various organs and tissues that make up human beings. Ethical Issues of the HGP The general public and the people of the HGP have shown great concern about the moral issues related to the Human Genome Project. Because of this concern, the Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health have allocated 3 to 5 percent of their annual budget for the HGP to study the ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) involved in the project. The use of sequencing will have a profound impact on the genetic screening of individuals. Medical professionals will be able to view a person's genome and will be able to know many things about a person simply by looking at their genes. This new technology will bring many problems, such as fairness in the use of genetic information. The question is mainly about who should get the genetic data and how to use it. Some of these targets include insurance companies, employers, courts, schools, and the military. If some of these institutions use this information, they may be discriminated against due to genetic diseases. This discrimination can range from family illnesses to mental illnesses that people cannot help. Privacy and confidentiality of genetic information can also cause problems. For some reason, many people will not want to see their genetic makeup. There will also be psychological problems related to understanding one's genetic makeup. If someone discovers that they are likely to suffer from a rare disease, their outlook on life is likely to change significantly. To reproduce there may be compatibility problems between two people who have to give birth to normal children. This will put pressure on many people's lives. Another issue that has arisen is the use of gene therapy to treat diseases. Using a person's genome to determine whether a person has genetic diseases will help treat these diseases. In gene therapy, the defective or infected gene will be replaced by the normal gene, so the individual will not show the inherent characteristics. Many people think that this is wrong because we have more or less taken back control of the natural process and they think that this is not the natural way. The HGP must also monitor certain clinical problems. Once the project is complete, many new technologies will need to be taught to our health service staff. There is also a need to educate patients and the public about what happened during these procedures. It is necessary to provide genetic counseling to people undergoing genetic testing. Health workers.