Human Genome Project
By: Shania Vaughan
Project Goals:
- identify all the approximately 20,000-25,000 genes in human DNA,
- determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA,
- store this information in databases,
- improve tools for data analysis,
- transfer related technologies to the private sector, and
- address the ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) that may arise from the project.
How should this technology be used?
This technology if used correctly could locate where the so called "faults" in our genes are located. In doing so this could give scientists to go in and alter those genes to better the DNA strands of future generations. By discovering such complexities they could possibly use this knowledge to soon prevent aids as well as many other life-threatening problems.
What are the ethical, legal and social concerns?
Social Concerns: Who will have access to my genes and what are they going to do with them. Also will i have access to the information and a privacy statement.
Legal Concerns: After the information is gathered how will such tests be evaluated for accuracy.
Ethical Concerns: Privacy policy are frequently drawn to attention as people become concerned with who would have control of their info and how private it would be kept.