The human genome project was set up to identify the genes in human DNA and determine the sequences of the chemical pairs that make up the human DNA. With this information they are able to create many medical benefits and improve technology greatly.
With gene testing scientists would be able to clarify a diagnosis and direct the appropriate actions towards the patients as well as warning parents that they may have children with diseases and identifying people with high risk of preventable conditions.
From the genome product scientists are developing gene therapy, and although it is still in its early stages, gene therapy will help cure or prevent disease by changing the expression of a person’s gene.
In the coming years the genome project will open up new possibilities that will help combat disease. By understanding the human genome, scientists will be able to create drugs based upon the proteins, enzymes and RNA, which will lead to more powerful, safer and effective antibiotics, drugs and other medicine, as well as the correct amount in accordance with the patient.
Pharmaceuticals will also be able to discover and improve drugs quicker and more efficiency.
With the benefits, however, come moral and ethical arguments and also some practical barriers.
There is a fear that with the genetic codes employers would be able to use genetic material against their workers and that insurers may use genetic material against customers. There is also worry that the genetic information may be used to discriminate against ethnic minorities.
Gene testing only gives patients with a high risk of disease a probability of developing the disorder causing unnecessary anxiety and risk of discrimination. Because of limitation of medical testing, there is a chance of laboratory errors due to sample misidentification or other factors.
Gene therapy is only at an early stage, however disadvantages have already been noted. Because gene therapy involves changing round of genes it may cause the patient more harm as some genes have more than one function. It is also easy to say that this process involves ‘playing God’ and so will be opposed by many groups.
Whether the human genome project is a great leap in technology or playing God the argument of whether it should be used is still undecided. (Word Count – 468)
