Human Genome Project

Essay by handyrandiHigh School, 11th gradeA+, June 2006

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The goal of the Human Genome Project (HGP) was to map out and understand all the genes contained within the human DNA. All our genes together is called our "genome". The HGP was an international effort. It is a culmination of information obtained through the history of genetics research. The HGP revealed that there is something like 30,000- 40,000 human genes. The complicated map can now identify their locations. The first draft of the human genome was published by the International Human Gene Sequencing Consortium in the journal Nature in February 2001, and at the time 90% of the entire genomes 3 billion base pairs were complete. The full sequence was completed and published in April 2003. It was discovered that there are more likely 50,000 genes to as many as 140,000. The Genome Project can be viewed in different ways. It can be considered a history book showing evolution of man over time.

It can be used as a manual showing the blueprint of every human cell and it can be used as a textbook for medicine, making it possible to prevent, cure and treat disease. Implications for society and individuals possessing the detailed information made possible by the HGP were recognisd from the beginning. Another component of HGP is dedicated to the analysis of ethical and social implications of this newfound genetic knowledge and the development of policy options for public consideration.

Canadians played a key role in the accomplishment of mapping the human genome.

They have completed what is called the HAP MAP. The HAP MAP is a catalogue of common genetic variants in a human. The HAP MAP describes what these variants are, where they occur in our DNA and how they are distributed in people based on their environment and geographic region. It is...