Just because we can.. we should
The human genome is complete set of DNA, including all of one's genes. Each genome contains genetic information needed to build and maintain that specific individual. In each human, a copy of the entire genome is contained in all cells that have a nucleus. Each genome has over 3 billion DNA base pairs. This is a very complex structure that has taken many years to discover and analyze.
The Human Genome Project was an international research effort to determine the sequence of the human genome and identify the genes that it contains. The Human Genome Project formally began in 1990 and was completed in 2003, 2 years ahead of its original schedule. The Human Genome Project has allowed researchers to begin to understand the genetics in humans. As more research is now being done researchers learn more about the functions of genes and proteins, which will have impact in the fields of medicine, biotechnology, and life sciences. People should be allowed to alter genes under certain circumstances. I believe if we have the technology to do so, we should. The project aims to provide a complete and accurate sequence of the 3 billion DNA base pairs that make up the human genome and to find all of the estimated 20,000 to 25,000 human genes. The goal was also to sequence the genomes of several other organisms that are important to medical research. In addition to sequencing DNA, the Human Genome Project sought to develop new tools to obtain and analyze the data and to make this information widely available.
The project will impact the field of medicine greatly, as understanding and being able to read the human genome will lead to advancements in pharmaceutical drugs. The development of new pharmaceutical drugs will increase as by reading the genome, researchers will be able to see which genes have been significantly impacted by said disease. For example, sickle cell anemia, Huntington’s, and cystic fibrosis are all Single gene disorders that have the potential of finding a permanent cure, rather than medical treatments that only prolong the lifespan of the individual. With the approval to alter genes genetically, medical research can eventually locate the gene carrying the disease, remove it, and replace it with a normal gene. Thus, finding a permanent alternative solution to certain diseases. It can also aid in detecting genetic diseases earlier and more efficiently. For example, if a couple decided to have children and were financially unstable, they would be able to detect whether the child would have a genetic disease, as this would allow them to plan in advance, and give them time to learn how to treat and cope daily with the disease. This would also give them the choice to treat the disease early by replacing the gene to rid of the gene carrying it.
The project will also impact Biotechnology as it will lead to new developments in order to fully decode each human's genome. New practices will also be developed as companies who will now perform these surgical task will need newly developed equipment in order to do so.
Lastly, the Human Genome project will also impact the economy, as the project has created over 4 million jobs in the industry and has brought in over $800 billion in funding. This project has impacted the economy tremendously in a positive way. This project also extends into many other fields as well, as it impacts more than just the medical field. The advancements in biotechnology that will arise from the Human genome project will impact fields of study such as criminal justice. Criminal justice can be more effective with the aid of DNA studies. In the field of agriculture, understanding the genome of animals and plants will help grow a breed that is strong and disease resistant animals and plants. Which will benefit those who rely on agriculture as a source of income.
In conclusion, we should be able to alter human genes in order to benefit the individual, by creating a better lifestyle, as well as increasing life span in most cases. By allowing the decoding and altering of the human genome, this also benefits other fields of study, as well as an overall great increase in the economy.
 |
References
"What did the Human Genome Project accomplish? - Genetics Home Reference." U.S. National Library of Medicine. National Institutes of Health, n.d. Web. 16 June 2017.
"What is a genetic disorder?" Facts. The Public Engagement team at the Welcome Genome Campus, 13 Nov. 2014. Web. 16 June 2017.
"Learning About Sickle Cell Disease." National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). N.p., n.d. Web. 16 June 2017.
|
Hi Kat! I really enjoyed reading your post. Giving a background on the human genome and its structure definitely helped back up your points. I liked how you mentioned that the technology can indirectly help come up with drugs that can cure diseases, because it can allow scientists to take a look at diseases in a way they were never able to before. Providing a real life example of someone who might be consider genetic engineering, allowed me to put myself in their shoes and understand how this technology is beneficial.
ReplyDeleteHey Kat! I enjoyed reading your post. The information you presented was thoroughly supported with details and facts about the human genome. I understand that you believe that parents should be able to alter their child's gene if an issue arises in their gene sequence. I understand your beliefs towards this because it could be helpful to the parents in their journey of raising their child; but I do not believe that the parents should alter the baby's genes if they find an abnormality. This is because it takes away the aspect of evolution. Mutations allow variation of the gene pool. Altering the gene can reduce biodiversity of the family and biodiversity as a whole. Although we think that mutations are bad; they provide uniqueness to individuals.
ReplyDelete