The Human Genome Project

Paper Summary:

This paper outlines why the human genome project will reduce the cost of treatment for at least some types of illnesses and diseases - most notably colorectal cancer and breast cancer. The paper details some of the objections historically raised against the project and then delves into the conclusions of others who staunchly insist that it is a worthwhile expenditure of time and money. After reviewing the evidence, the paper concludes that, while the project may not be without its flaws, it is still adding to our basic knowledge about genetic diseases and ie still going to save us lives and save patients and their families money - and that makes it important.

From the Paper:

"One of the chief concerns that opponents of the Human Genome Project have is that medical research will be adversely affected by the Project because of the massive diversion of time and funds towards something that, in their view, is utterly superfluous. In an April, 1990, correspondence to colleagues, Michael Syvanen of the University of California at Davis (the email was actually posted online by a close associate, Paul R. Chernoff of Berkeley, though it appears to be essentially Syvanen's words and thoughts) outlines this position. Specifically, Syvanen (the letter is co-signed by several colleagues but the top of the letter suggests that Syvanen was the chief writer of the correspondence) insists that most genes involved in disease can be located and accurately sequenced without resorting to the drastic step of sequencing the entire genome; in fact, as early as 1990, promising steps were being undertaken in the battle against disease through genetic research that did not entail the expensive sequencing of the human genome in its entirety. Proceeding onward, Syvanen notes that the rush to sequence the human genome has sparked a scientific environment wherein peer review boards that balk at uncertain and even downright questionable human genome proposals are being muscled aside in favor of appointed administrative bodies seduced by the notoriety of possibly sequencing the human genome - and not by the actual validity of the science appearing before them (Syvanen et al, 1990). For Syvanen and others like him, both in 1990 and surely today, the Human Genome Project is nothing more than a costly "play thing" of scientists who conveniently forget that 95 to 98 percent of the human genome consists of useless, "junk" DNA that simply serves no function at all and has no bearing on whether someone acquires a disease or not (Syvanen et al, 1990)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Luminex Corporation. (2005, 27 July). TM BIOSCIENCE TO SUPPLY THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI'S DR. JOHN T. MACDONALD FOUNDATION CENTER FOR MEDICAL GENETICS WITH TAG-IT(TM) REAGENTS. Luminex: Press Releases. Retrieved May 25, 2007 from <http://www.tmbioscience.com/prlist.php?id=504>
• O'Grady, Jane & Hodgson, Shirley. (1996, May 8). Commissioning new genetic services: inappropriate demand or unmet need? Bandolier: Evidence-based Thinking about Health Care. Retrieved May 25, 2007 from <http://www.jr2.ox.ac.uk/bandolier/bandopubs/conf2gen.html>
• Syvanen, Michael, Turnbough, Chuck, Calendar, Richard, Squires, Cathy, Young, Ryland, Befort, Marlene. (1990, April 13). Human genome project can be stopped. Retrieved May 25, 2007 from <http://www.bio.net/bionet/mm/bioforum/1990-April/002158.html>

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