Both private and publically funded organizations have taken up the challenge of mapping the human genome. The Human Genome Project or {HGP}, was born in 1990. A publically funded collaboraion of international scientists whose mission is to map the entire human genome, a blueprint,or a "complete collection of the human organism's genetic material", is reaching its completion {Fasman 3}. Numerous private corporations, namely Celera Genomics, the HGP's main rival, are financially backed by large pharmaceutical companies, and with vested commercial,economic interest are also working to map and sequence the human genome.This new research is shaping up to be "the most exciting science in recent human history"{Pressroom 3}.

Found within every cell of the human body is encoded genetic information. These are made specific by employing methods of mapping or sequencing of a chromosome's DNA. The location or order in which the DNA's compounds reveal themselves in their ladder formation will specify distinct traits of that gene.

In June 2000 scientists at the HGP, as well as the privately funded Celera Genomics both" completed a draft" of the human genome {Fasman 6}. Although partially incomplete, it is expected that by 2003 an even more complete draft will reach completion.

The Human Genome Project's vast data collection is accesible to the public. Databases are connected and available to view on the internet.Through this policy of free data, the HGP has helped facilitate the research of private companies. Aided by a variety of high performance computing technology needed to make sense of the vast amount of information, bioinformatics, a new field of research utilizing computers has made the HGP possible . In fact, "Biologists are setting the pace for development in the computing industry"{Pressroom 2}.

Many private research companies seek, and hold patents on their data for gene applications, making the details of their research "proprietary", and inaccesible to the public {Pannozzo 2}.The applications of genomic research cross over from medicine, food, energy and resources, and present an array of commercial opportunities. Current Canadian food and drug regulations do not address the issues of gene therapy. As corporations race to develop products from genetic information, and develop treatments, it can be at the risk of public health and safety.{THIS}

In that so much is expected to be gained from human genome research, determining those genes associated with hereditary disease (ie: diabetes and Parkinsons), that in developing new drugs, and genetic therapies it is projected that by 2009 "DNA products and technology will be a $45 billion dollar industry".{Pannozzo 2}

It may be of little consolation to those patients today who test harmful pharmaceutical products in which the specifics regarding their "clinical trials "are kept confidential." {Pannozzo 2} The best way to ensure public safety would be to have free access to cross- referenced research data, and laws that respect patent information, but enforce proper trial reporting to the FDA ensuring the safe testing of all new therapies on patients.

Genetic research is controversial. There are ethical, safety and confidentiality issues to be addressed. In the laboratory, scientists have the ability to replicate or clone fragments of DNA, allowing for the individual testing of "identical copies" {Fasman 4}. Genome researchers working in the areas of stem cell research have started using embryonic stem cells, which in theory could grow into any kind of human cells like blood, bone, and liver, providing as Warshall writes "universal repair". The medical potentials in this area are great as embryonic stem cells {a primordial cell}, created with a patient's DNA could produce replacement cells or even artificially cultured organs for transplant with little or no rejection from the patient. Unwanted embryos created for in-vitro fertilization will comprise the majority of human embryos used in this research.

New regulations in the UK on stem cell research have opened up to allow research using human embryos, and recent changes to UK law have created, expectedly, a hotbed of moral and ethical issues. Religious and anti-abortion groups oppose the experimentation and destruction of human embryos. These groups are asking for a delay on the new regulations that will take effect on January 31/2001, believing the new regulations are a step towards reproductive cloning, allowing "scientists" to play God {Young, Caghlan 2}.The large commercial potentials of embryonic stem cell research has been both reason to push ahead in research, as well as being an "unacceptable motive underlying the moral debate" {Young 3}. Current laws in the UK state that "reproductive cloning is and remains illegal", and currently "no licences for cloning have been granted"{Young 3}. If one country's laws forbid cloning, another one will.In Januray 2001, there was an announcement that Italian scientist Antinori had set out to clone the first human being. Antinori is forming an "international coalition of scientists" to work on a human cloning project involving six couples who, "if successfull, will produce a baby who will be an exact genetic replica of its father." The cloning project is taking place in a "Mediterranean country...where {Antinori says} I had consent"{Sunday Telegraph A2}.

Genetic research and engineering is quickly becoming big buisiness, and is a reality of modern life.In Iceland, the government collects genetic data from its citizens, unless they officially opt out of collection programs. What of the confidentiality and ownership of individual genetic information? What rights Icelandic citizens will hold over their personal information remains to be seen. As Pannozzo writes "in the end, when all the human genes are patented, who will own us?" The Canadian government currently airs propagandist commercials touting the wonders of genetically modified foods, foods that have been genetically modified by large agro-chemical companies like Monsanto, who subsequently is in partnership with Celera Genomics and pays for access to their genome data base. "The pressure on scientists is economic" {Rigby 3}. As witness to scientific discoveries of the past, we have seen biotech companies and scientists "wedded to their pet ideas", pushing their accomplishments like "DDT, Chloroflurocarbons, and Asbestos" into commonplace worldwide use {Rigby 3}.

In today's rapidly evolving study of genetic research and engineering, with all its promises for a better world, new treatments for disease and gene therapies are temptation hard to be resisted. However, if products and information are protected by patent, will this create even more tiers in the health system, with only the rich able to afford new treatments? Where will this new road in science lead us , on its many levels, as a human race? Genetic modifications to an organism are, as Rigby warns, "unrecallable, irretrievable, and self-replicating." It is with caution, the appropriate access to information, and thorough debate that we should proceed into this new branch of life sciences.

Fasman,Kenneth."Human Genome Project." Microsoft Encarta. http://encarta.msn.com

Pannozzo,Linda."Under The Hood,Interior Designs." THIS Magazine.May/June 2000:2-3.

Pressroom."Department of Energy News." January 19 2000. http://www.energy.gov/hqpress/releases01/janpr/pr01022.htm

Rigby,Byron."Genetic Engineering:A Violation of Natural Law." http://www.naturl-law.ca/genetic/brigby.html

Warshall,Peter."Nextmed, Embryonic stem cells, Universal Repair." Whole Earth Magazine.Summer 2000:19.

Young,Emma."Stem cell go-ahead." New Scientist. http://www.newscientist.com/nsplus/insight/clone/stem/goahead.html

Young,Coghlan."Clone Age." New Scientist. http://www.newscientist.com/nsplus/insight/clone/stem/cloneage.html.

© Allison Kozak 2001
Fair dealing applies.