Human Genome & Genetic Disease
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On June 26, 2000, scientists working for the Human Genome Project announced the completion of the mapping of the human genome. The Human Genome Project is a publicly funded cooperative effort between the U.S. (which is funding two-thirds of the project) and Britain’s Wellcome, a charity organization, which is funding one-third of the project. The mapping of the more than 3.5 billion letters in the human genome offers scientists and biologists unlimited potential when it comes to discoveries about the nature of human life. In future, scientists may be able to use genetic information to reverse or cure genetic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s and maybe all human disease “Science is about to provide the world with one of the most significant intellectual achievements of all time—the complete sequencing of the human genome—which will provide a detailed map of all of the genes…the blueprint for human life. The implications are enormous” (Cooke 4).Yet, despite the potentially unlimited health benefits the mapping of the human genome promises, many are opposed to tampering with what they view as life itself. Critics of the Human Genome Project are worried about the unethical use of such information, including parents who want to tailor-make their children or private companies holding patents on certain genes required for advances in medicine. Aside from the Human Genome Project, private se
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, tailored to the genetic makeup of each individual, available.
Doctors are able to correct genetic flaws, controlling some congenital diseases.
2050 Average life span reaches 90-95 years.
(Nesmith 3)
From the examples given above, we can see that by manipulating the human genome scientists may have the ability within the next decade or two to help cure some of the diseases responsible for killing millions of people annually, including cancer, diabetes and stroke. Not only is the health and well-being of millions of people at stake, but enormous costs may be saved in the treatment of such diseases. One simple mistake or mutation in a gene sequences can cause a genetic disease or posit in the individual a predisposition to disease, like alcoholism. While there are moral and ethical, legal and social issues raised by such a discovery, proper use of this discovery not only promises to change the future of human health and disease but perhaps even the nature of life itself “A complete reading of the human genome is expected to offer new medicines, hormones, growth factors and even a deep understanding of our species’ evolutionary history. Clues to cancer will be found. And it may become clear why some people are more sus
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2226
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page)
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