The Human Genome Project / Biotechnology

The Human Genome Project / Biotechnology

What is the Human Genome Project

The Beginning

• In 1988, the National Institute for Health banned together with international powers to crack the genetic "code" of the human species

HGP and the Economy

The Research

• Research showed that 98.6% of the human gene is junk inherited from previous evolutions.
• More importantly, the 1.1-1.4% of important genes helped scientists discover cures or treatment for genetic diseases.

The Finale

• The US Government used $3.8 billion to conduct the research in 1988
• The research generated $796 billion in return
• 141:1 ratio (for every $1 invested by the government, $141 is "generated" in the economy)
• in 2010 alone, the HGP created 310,000 jobs directly and indirectly

• The final genes of the 3 billion, that make up the human body, were sequenced in 2003.
• Currently, thanks to the HGP:
• 1,800 mutations in genes have been discovered
• 2,000 tests for human conditions.
• and 350 biotechnology based products are being tested today.

Sources

Biotechnology

Genetics Home Reference. US National Library of Medicine, 26 May 2014. Web. 28

May 2014. <http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/hgp/elsi>.

MIT Technology Review. MIT, 12 Apr. 2013. Web. 28 May 2014.

<http://www.technologyreview.com/view/513666/

a-decade-of-advances-since-the-human-genome-project/>.

National Human Genome Research Institute. NIH, 12 June 2013. Web. 28 May 2014.

<http://www.genome.gov/27544383>.

National Institute of Health. NHGRI, 29 Mar. 2013. Web. 28 May 2014.

<http://report.nih.gov/NIHfactsheets/ViewFactSheet.aspx?csid=45&key=H#H>.

NBC News. MSN, 16 May 2011. Web. 28 May 2014. <http://www.nbcnews.com/id/

43008755/ns/business-us_business/t/human-genome-projects-billion-economic- impact/ #.U4X8NPldVWF>.

Silva, Lucy. Ethics of Human Genome: DNA Database Society. Santa Cruz: UCSC,

2004. Print.

Biotechnology in the Past

• Before the Human Genome Project, DNA testing was expensive and used primarily in court cases.
• The technology at the time was poor and only detected a handful of genetic diseases.

Biotechnology after the HGP

• Now, a DNA test costs $5,000.
• Doctors can sequence a tumor to provide the best treatment for cancer patients
• Pregnant mothers can take a blood test to check for chromosome mutations or deletions
• DNA tests can now detect over 5,000 conditions and 100 new medications are being patented

The Ethics

The Reality

What are the ethical issues of the HGP?

• The researchers of the HGP publicized their findings on the internet for the general public to see
• The research is being used to treat or cure genetic diseases and prevent future mutations from happening in families.

• The results of the HGP fueled a new type of technology that can produce altered or identical DNA
• Genetic modifications and cloning of diseases, traits, or actual humans.
• The public results could be used to discriminate against citizens who are trying to accomplish various life tasks.

What do you think?

• Should the research be accessible to the general public?
• Should the research have only been used for government or emergency testing?