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6.3 process information from secondary sources to outline the purpose of the Human Genome Project and briefly discuss its implications

process information from secondary sources to outline the purpose of the Human Genome Project and briefly discuss its implications.

Background information

The Human Genome Project (HGP) is a six billion dollar international project involving scientists from all over the world. The aim is to map the human genome sequence, identify the 30 000 genes, store the information on a database, develop tools for data analysis and address the ethical, legal and social issues that may arise. The implications of the project are both positive and negative. Positive implications are that gene technology will reduce suffering from disease, alert people to shortened life span because of a predisposition to a genetic disease, and to produce useful drugs and organ replacements through animal cloning. Negative implications are that DNA could be used for social ranking, biological weapons could be designed that are race specific, parents could design children reducing the variation in the gene pool, and insurance companies might refuse to cover people because of their predisposition to genetic disease.

Beyond the Human Genome Poster and Presentation (external website) Human Genome Project Information, Department of Energy, USA

Keeping Pace with the Times – The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (external website) The New England Journal of Medicine

The Human Genome Project, Ethical, Legal and Social issues (external website) Department of Energy, USA