What Is the Human Genome Project?

The Human Genome Project started in the 1970s. It aims to identify all genes in the human DNA and to determine the sequence of 3 billion chemical base pairs in it. The larger vision is to estimate risks for certain diseases, recommend healthy lifestyle regimens, and prescribe the safest and most effective drugs, all based on the map of your genes. Among the things they have found:

• We have approximately 60,000 genes in the body, from the earlier reported 75,000 to 100,000 genes.
• Human DNA is 98% identical to chimpanzees'.
• Some DNA variations are linked with Huntington's Disease, which causes deterioration of the central nervous system leading to early death, some form of cancer, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, Alzheimer's Disease, and some drug side effects.

The Human Genome Project has also recently been successfully applied. Andrew Gobea, for instance, underwent genetic alteration before birth to prevent failure of his immune system. Indeed, the Human Genome Project may well be the best method of preventing or even treating various deadly diseases, and the human species might well undergo evolution more easily than what was previously thought. Instead of going to hospitals and be prescribed with medicines, we might, in the future, go to DNA alteration institutions and be treated from certain diseases permanently. Looks promising, but there's always that other side of the coin. Obtaining and maintaining jobs and insurance, and issues of privacy, are some of the things that the project eventually affects. What do you think?