What's the significance of the Human Genome Project?

Question

What are the ethical issues involved? I'm aware of some but can't quite explain it in words, I would be grateful for some help thank you :)

Answer 1

The Human Genome Project is a probably and may be the greatest scientific discovery. Basically, scientists have decoded the human DNA sequence but that really doesn't mean anything. They don't know what gene each sequence stands for but having this sequence is VERY important once we know where the gene is actually located. Ethically, I just think people are afraid of cloning. But the problem is this could be GREATLY beneficial to the entire human race! We can find ways to remove harmful mutations that cause severe diseases. The problem lies in the process. Because it would be VERY expensive, the richer families would be able to have healthier children causing a greater gap in society. However, I think it should be used to the fullest potential because we could really create a better, healthier, and even stronger society defying microevolution as we know it! This is a huge step in medical science and even biology. We can FINALLY show some solid proof that humans and apes are related and really get a good idea of how species are derived from one another.

Answer 2

Everything that everyone here has said is right, and it can all be summed up under one word: Eugenics. This is the major ethical issue with the Human Genome project because it would allow us to try to "improve" the human race by selecting individuals with what we deem to be the most "desirable" traits, be it a lack of disease etc., or even physical attributes. Many think that once we know all of the human genome, we can identify individuals that have precisely the traits we want, or use gene therapy to GIVE them the traits we want. This "selective reduction" of individuals with undesirable traits carries huge ethical barriers.

Answer 3

If we know what genes are in the Human Genome, then we are a step closer to figuring out what the genes do.

We are also a step closer to deciding what we would like humans to be like in the future. It goes beyond breeding for desirable traits, this is done in all animals and humans do it on an subconsciouses level. We could actively decide the world would be better off with blue eyed babies, or only one blood type. Of course this means that a disease that can kill one of us could kill all of us.

Every advancement has pros and cons. It always comes down to are we a mature enough species to deal with the decisions that have to be made. Laws are written because some of us are not.

Answer 4

The significance of the Human Genome project is to find out all of the genes in the Human DNA. Once scientist have found that out now they are using their new information to find out which genes cause which cancers and diseases and also for gene therapy.

Answer 5

Hi. Once we understand how DNA is structured we should be able to determine how proteins and such are formed by it. The ethics center around whether or not humans are ready as a species to use this knowledge wisely. You could single out a person because she MAY have a genetic disorder, and not hire her. Also, any powerful knowledge can and usually is used by bad folks to harm other folks.