Human Genome Project
Begun in 1990, The Human Genome Project seeks to map the 60-80,000 genes and sequence the three billion DNA base pairs on the chromosomes within the nucleus of a human cell. The word genome refers to all the DNA in a cell. The Human Genome Project is a three-billion dollar worldwide effort. It is funded by United States agencies, including the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Energy. The work, divided among hundreds of scientists in eight research centers, is due to be completed by the year 2005. The project freely provides its findings to the scientific community. Its work is claimed to be 99.9% accurate (less than one error in 10,000 base pairs). The researchers use a technique called the clone-by-clone method. They divide the genome into small fragments and replicate or clone them repeatedly inside a microorganism. They then determine where the fragment belongs on the chromosome, and sequence the fragments to create a map. They use the clones to check their work for errors and missing sequences. It is a tedious and time-consuming project.
The Human Genome Project is not the only group working on sequencing human genes. On May 10, 1998, J. Craig Venter, a scientist from the Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR), described a new project on the human genome. It would be a joint venture with the instrument company, Perkin-Elmer. He claimed he could complete the work by the year 2001 for 200-250 million dollars. Although Venter plans to make information available to scientists, he will also patent 100-300 genes and charge for the use of databases. His technique is called whole-genome shotgun sequencing. First, he breaks DNA into thousands of fragments. Then he uses automated DNA sequencing machines that read the base pairs at the ends of the various fragments. Finally, he skips the mapping stage, and feeds the information into a computer that matches overlapping fragments. The result is a complete, correctly ordered sequence of DNA. He admits that the shotgun technique leaves gaps, but they are in repetitive areas of DNA that are not of interest.
More commercial approaches to this project are being followed by certain companies. One of these, Human Genome Sciences, claims to have isolated and sequenced most of the human genes that are of medical importance. This type of work is entirely commercial and the results are released only for patent applications.
The human genome is the operating system of the human being. The commercial aspects of sequencing its genes are limitless. The information can enable companies to produce therapeutic drugs, diagnostic tools, and cures for diseases in a multi-billion dollar industry. The potential for scientific discovery is also limitless. Scientists could learn more about how the evolution of the human genome and how it operates. Some people consider the three approaches to genome research as a competitive race, but others hope that each will enhance the others' work, and the result will be a valuable fund of information.
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