Has human DNA been completely figured out by science, or are there still questions to be answered?

Answer 1

Human DNA is still a massive mystery! The human genome project has provided a copy of the entire human DNA sequence.


However, due to the variability in the human genome between individuals, we have little idea about the extent of the variation in sequence between individuals. There is a large project known as the hapmap project which is currently looking into this but it is very limited.

Furthermore, we don't know what all the DNA does. We don't know where all the genes are, what those genes do, how many ways those genes can be chopped and changed to produce different proteins (a phenomenon called alternative splicing).

A lot of the so-called junk DNA has recently turned out not to be junk as well - sections that don't fit into traditional genes can make RNA sequences that can have profound effects on cellular biology in ways we did not even begin to understand until very recently.

In fact, we're not even anywhere near knowing the gene mutations that cause all genetic diseases (or even knowing what all the genetic diseases are!).

There's a lot of work for genetics to do yet!

PS contrary to pogonoforo's answer we are nowhere near fully understanding DNA repair mechanisms, DNA replication, mutations, and least of all cellular biochemistry.

Answer 2

The Human Genome Project has mapped the entire human DNA as of 2003. It took 13 years. However, mapping it is not the same as understanding it and it will take many more years to figure out what the various DNA actually means when expressed. So yes, there are many, many questions left unanswered, and I for one hope some never get answered. We are more than the sum of our parts!

Answer 3

well, it has and it hasn't. they say that most of the human dna is nothing but trash, but that could also be an excuse for not knowing what it all is. but the answer is no, there are theory's that the remainder of dna that lies unmapped is the map to the soul. now there's something to think about.

Answer 4

Proyect DNA has figured total DNA secuence, repair mechanism, reproduction mechanisms, mutations, and all biochemistry is solved, but that does not mean we know what all that information means.
It's like having the key to the library's door, we still have to read and comprehend all books.

Answer 5

Project DNA has figured out all the sequences of molecules. We don't know what the proteins that these sequences create do yet.