The Human Genome Project, Essay Example

The human genome project (HGP) was one of the most significant accomplishments in the history of science as it aimed at determining the base pairs, which make up the DNA. HGP was critical in the identification and mapping of all the human genome genes, both from the functional and physical standpoint. The genes that would undergo this process included those from members belonging to the human species commonly known as Homo Sapiens. It is worth to note that the project began on the 1^st of October 1990 and ended in April of 2003 (Jin, 2018). A central argument presented in this paper is that the Human Genome Project was the first initiative ever to make it possible for scientists to have a better understanding of the genetic blueprint evident among humans.

The human genome project was critical in providing a better understanding of the human species. The objective of the research was achieved by sequencing 3 billion pairs of chemical bases, which constitute the spiral strands of human DNA present in every cell within the human body. The base was combined to provide a lengthy close to that of 13 sets of the Encyclopedia Britannica (Ohimain, 2019). Therefore, the human genome project was critical in improving the existing knowledge on the broad range of human growth processes, which comprise of birth, development, growth, and death. The deduction of a similar approach guides us to understand other species.

Concerning various aspects of the project, DNA sequencing reveals that human beings share a common ancestor with other organisms. The study established that DNA in human cells was useful to indicate the unique identity of every person as well as outlining how closely related the human species are. The same dynamics prove true when analyzing the similarity between human beings and other organisms (Ohimain, 2019). The DNA entails the molecule, which builds the genome of any organism-present in every nucleus in every cell. It determines the growth of an organism and the physiological component of its blood, brains, and bones. The quantity of the variation in the DNA that different organisms hold is essential in bringing out the differences between them. Similarly, it indicates their similarities; thus, human beings and other organisms share a common ancestor based on DNA.

The human genome project is applicable currently and will remain relevant in the future.  Scientific research indicates that chromosomes across the entire human race differ by approximately 0.1 percent (Jin, 2018). The comprehension of such variations guides the discovery of heritable infections and other infections and the underlying characteristics which are common to human beings. Results obtained from the project play a central role in fueling the various significant discoveries in the health care industry. Among the top achievements include the cloning of genes that take charge of multiple entities like cystic fibrosis and many others (Turner, 2019). The rise of increasingly comprehensive genomic maps remains significant for the studies involving genes that have an association with fragile X syndrome, some kinds of inherited colon cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and familial breast cancer. The application of the project in the future is likely to guide scientists into comprehending the human being’s structure. Besides, it provides a better understanding of the pathology of some health challenges like heart disorders, diabetes, and cancer. The knowledge will enhance the management of these disorders, which remains a significant challenge to the world population.

The present and future adoption of the project will be essential in fulfilling national needs. It is worth noting that as researchers increasingly continue to gain knowledge on the various functions of proteins and genes, fields such as biotechnology, medicine, and life sciences will be significantly impacted (Turner, 2019). Medicine will now majorly focus on the elementary origins of infections as opposed to the current practice, which focuses on the treatment of symptoms. Genetic screening arising from this project will bring about brisk and specified diagnostic examinations enhancing the treatment of numerous maladies. Genomic statistics will lead to the detection of the possibility of some infections, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, thus promoting chances of survival for the victims due to earlier preventions.

The human genome project has ethical, legal, and social implications. The individuals are drafting the proposal of this project noted in good time that it would generate some impacts on persons, families, and the community at large. In as much as the information in the project has great significance, it would bring about various issues, including how the interpretation of the data itself, its accessibility, and chances of the community curtail the harm arising from inappropriate use of genetic information (Turner, 2019). As a way of capturing these issues, the researchers formulated the ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) program as a subset of the HGP.  The relevance of the program is that it aims at identifying and providing solutions before application into the various fields.  In this respect, it takes care of such issues such as interpretation of information, clinical integration of new genetic technologies, challenges of genetic research, and the educating of the general public and the medical practitioners.

References

Jin, J. (2018). The Human Genome Project. Obtained 10/13/99. http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEPC/WWC/1992/human_genome.html .

Ohimain, E. (2019). What can we expect from the Human Genome Project? Obtained 10/13/99. http://www.accessexcellence.org/AB/IE/What_Can_We_Expect.html .

Turner, C. (2019). What is the Human Genome Project? Obtained 10/2/99. http://www.ornl.gov/TechResources/Human_Genome/home.html .