Would you classify yourself as an individual with a very creative mind? If yes, have you ever wondered if it is possible to build a human being from scratch with the unparalleled advancements in science and technology?
Fun fact, many people may have thought of this in one way or another but the very first person(Charles DeLisi) to bring this thought to light (proposed the idea) did so in the year 1984. The concept gained momentum and in the year 1990, the National Institutes of Health(NIH) and the Department of Energy(DOE) jointly launched the Human Genome Project(HGP).
What then is the HGP?
The Human Genome Project was a massive undertaking to map out all the genes in the human DNA. It was like creating a blueprint for our bodies. The project helped the public better understand diseases, develop new treatments and even trace our ancestry. So if you have ever undergone an ancestral test, then you have most likely benefited from the HGP.
It’s pretty amazing what we can learn from our genes, don't you think?
The major objectives of the human genome project were:
- To determine the complete sequence of the human genome’s 3 billion base pairs.
- To identify all human genes and their functions
- To develop technologies for genome analysis.
- To examine the ethical, legal and social implications of genome research.
- To identify the genetic contributions to human diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes,etc and further developing targeted therapies and personalised medicine.
BENEFITS
A project of this sort would obviously have a good number of advantages. These advantages are a way to give more meaning and rectitude. Some of these advantages include:
Personalized Medicine: Tailored treatments based on individual genetic profiles.
Disease Research: Insights into genetic contributions to disease like cancer, sickle cell, diabetes and Alzheimer’s.
Genetic Testing: Identification of genetic disorders and predispositions.
Forensic Analysis: DNA profiling for crime scene investigation.
Synthetic Biology: Design for new biological systems and organisms.
SHORTCOMINGS
Some of the concerning shortcomings that surrounded the project include:
Ethical Concerns: Privacy, informed consent and genetic discrimination.
Data Management: Storing, analysing and interpreting vast amounts of genomic data.
Cost: With a project of this sort, cost is expected to be on the high side as genetic testing and analysis are associated with high costs.
Misuse: Irrespective of how impeccable a project may be, there can always be a negative side to its function and in this case, potential misuse of genetic information for eugenic or discriminatory purposes.
Some Intriguing Clinical Trials Include:
1.CRISPR Gene Editing: this trial was carried out to help treat genetic diseases like sickle cell anaemia and muscular dystrophy.
2.Gene Therapy: trial for treating inherited diseases like cystic fibrosis and Huntington’s disease.
3.Stem Cell Therapy: trial for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
4.Pharmacogenomics: trials for tailored medication response based on genetic variation.
Was The Project Successful?
That would be a big yes!
Launched in October 1990 and completed in April 2003, the Human Genome Project’s signature accomplishment—generating the first sequence of the human genome— provided fundamental information about the human blueprint, which has since accelerated the study of human biology and improved the practice of medicine.
Liebe🤍
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