The Human Genome Project Flashcards
what was the primary goal of the human genome project
to find every single human gene
when did the project start and when was it completed
- it started in 1990
- and was completed in 2003
how many genes did the researchers have to discover and go through
20500 genes
what are scientists now trying to do that they have found all of the human genes
- they are trying to find what they all do
- their function in the body essentially
what has the project done that has benefited people and why is it important
- the project has helped to identify about 1800 genes related to disease
- which has huge potential benefits for medicine
what are common diseases such as cancer and heart disease usually caused by
- the interaction of different genes
- or lifestyle factors
what would doctors be able to do if they knew what genes predisposed people to different kinds of diseases
- they would be able to give individually tailored advice on the best diet and lifestyle to avoid our likely problems
- they could also check us regularly to ensure treatment if we do develop the diseases were susceptible to
what are inherited disorders caused by and what is an example of one
- they are caused by the presence of one or more faulty alleles in a persons genome
- an example is cystic fibrosis
how has the human genome project been able to combat inherited disorders
- scientists are able to identify the genes and alleles that are suspected of causing an inherited disorder
- much more quickly than they could do in the past
what can be done once an allele that causes an inherited disorder has been identified
- people can be tested for it
- and it may be possible to develop better treatments
- or even a cure for the disease
what has the human genome project been able to specifically highlight
some common genetic variations between people
what can some variations within our genome cause or affect
- how our individual bodies will react to certain diseases
- and the possible treatments for them
what can scientists do with the information of knowing the common genetic variations between people
they can design new drugs that are specifically tailored to people with a particular genetic variation
what can scientists determine if they know the common genetic variations between people
they can determine how well an existing drug will work for an individual
what is an example of how we are already using our knowledge of genetically induced diseases to determine how well drugs work and what do specifically do
- tests can already identify whether or not someone with breast cancer will respond to a particular drug
- and what dosage is most appropriate for certain drugs in different patients
what does knowing how a drug affects us on a molecular level make possible in the future
- it should make it possible to design more effective treatments
- with fewer side effects
what are the three main medical applications for the human genome project
- prediction and prevention of disease
- testing and treatment for inherited disorders
- new and better medicines
what are the three drawbacks that come with the applied knowledge discovered in the human genome project
- increased stress
- gene-ism
- discrimination by employers and insurers
how is increased stress a drawback of the human genome project
- if someone knew from an early age that they are susceptible to a nasty brain disease
- they could panic every time they get a headache
- even if they never get he disease
how is gene-ism a drawback of the human genome project
people with genetic problems could come under pressure to not have children
how is discrimination by employers and insurers be a drawback of the human genome project
- life insurance could become impossible to get or become very expensive
- if you have any genetic likelihood of a serious disease
- and employers may discriminate against people who are genetically likely to get a disease
