Human Genome Project - Applications and Future Challenges

Applications and future challenges:

• It provides a radically new approach to biological research.
• In the past, researchers studied one or a few genes at a time. With whole-genome sequences and new high-throughput technologies, we can approach questions systematically and on a much broader scale.
• They can study all the genes in a genome, for example, all the transcripts in a particular tissue or organ or tumor, or how tens of thousands of genes and proteins work together in interconnected networks to orchestrate the chemistry of life.
• The mapping of human chromosomes is possible to examine a person’s DNA and to identify genetic abnormalities. This is extremely useful in diagnosing diseases and to provide genetic counselling to those planning to have children. This kind of information would also create possibilities for new gene therapies.
• Besides providing clues to understand human biology, learning about non-human organisms, and DNA sequences can lead to an understanding of their natural capabilities that can be applied towards solving challenges in healthcare, agriculture, energy production, and environmental remediation.
• Apart from humans, other non-human models that have been sequenced are:
  (i) Bacteria, Yeast,
  (ii) Caenorhabditis elegans (a free-living non-pathogenic nematode),
  (iii) Drosophila (the fruit fly),
  (iv) Rice and Arabidopsis (plants), etc
• A new era of molecular medicine, characterized by looking into the most fundamental causes of disease than treating the symptoms will be an important advantage.

1. Once genetic sequence becomes easier to determine, some people may attempt to use this information for profit or for political power.
2. Insurance companies may refuse to insure people at ‘genetic risk’ and this would save the companies the expense of future medical bills incurred by ‘less than perfect' people.
3. Another fear is that attempts are being made to “breed out” certain genes of people from the human population in order to create a ‘perfect race’.