The human genome project (19)

Question 1

What is the human genome?

Answer 1

The human genome is the complete set of nucleic acid sequence for humans

Question 2

How has the project helped scientists develop drugs?

Answer 2

• can now identify genes and proteins involved in diseases and target the identified protein
• can see common genetic variations that may make drugs less effective, drug companies can tailor new drugs to these variations

Question 3

How can doctors use the results from the project?

Answer 3

can personalise a patient’s treatment by using their genetic information to predict how their bodies will respond to drugs and only prescribe the most effective ones.

Question 4

Social, ethica and moral issues:

Answer 4

creating drugs will be more expensive, the drugs will be more expensive and could lead to a two-tiered health system with only the wealthy getting specialised treatment

• people may not take medication if it won’t be effective
• genetic info could be used by employers or insurance companies
• psychological damage if you find that the only drug available will not work on you
• eugenics