How the project began The idea of the Human Genome Project first began in a vague way in the 1970s when biologists started to investigate human genes at the molecular level. As biochemical analysis of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) became possible, it became clear that certain segments of DNA (called markers) were associated with particular conditions. Various countries started to map parts of the human genome in the 1980s but the international project really got under way when the USA became involved. In 1989, the Human Genome Organisation (HUGO) was founded by leading scientists in the field to coordinate the massive international effort now involved in unravelling the secrets of our genes.
The Human Genome Project – A feat so vast that at first it seems unachievable The project aims to map the position of every human gene and to read and decipher every message encoded in the the twisted double helix of our DNA (Box 1: Genes – the basic facts). It is a stupendous and very costly undertaking, involving advanced biotechnology, and will take many years to complete. A first draft of the human genome was announced in June 2000. In February 2001, the publicly funded Human Genome Project and the private company Celera jointly announced that they had mapped the bulk of the human genome. These maps show that there are only about 30,000 genes – many fewer than the 100,000 expected. The completed map, announced in April 2003, covers 99 per cent of the gene-containing regions of the genome.
Australia plays its part Despite its strong contributions to biological and medical research, Australia has been slow to become involved in large-scale genome research. Few of our institutions have had the funding or facilities to undertake such projects. The establishment of the Australian Genome Research Facility in 1995 provided Australia with a facility for DNA sequencing (Box 2: Gene mapping and DNA sequencing).
The controversy There is no doubt that information from the Human Genome Project will provide huge benefits to human health with the diagnosis and possible treatment of genetic diseases (eg, cystic fibrosis and Huntington's chorea). However, some people feel that the huge amounts of money being spent on the project could be used to improve the human condition in more effective ways. Genetic information can be misused; for example, through genetic discrimination by employers or insurance companies. The ethical, legal and social issues need to be considered urgently because the project is proceeding more rapidly than expected and genetic information may be available before appropriate guidelines are in place. What is certain is that the project and the issues associated with it will be an essential part of modern biology for years to come. Boxes 2. Gene mapping and DNA sequencing Related Nova topics: Biology meets industry – genomics, proteomics, phenomics
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Posted February 1997.
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This topic is sponsored by the Australian Government's National Innovation Awareness Strategy.
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