What is the Human Genome Project, and what is the debate on it?

Answer 1

A project to sequence the human genome.

I don't think there is any debate any more. At the time some people claimed it was playing god.

Answer 2

The Human Genome Project (HGP) is a project to de-code (i.e. sequence) more than 3 billion nucleotides contained in a haploid reference human genome and to identify all the genes present in it.

1. The high cost and money is unjustified. Some people argued that spending research funding on such large-scale research project such as the Human Genome Project takes up scarce resources from researchers who studies special area of interests more efficiently. However, others argue that large-scale projects reduce possible duplicity of research and thus minimize waste of funding. There is also the question of whether we, as a society, should spend the time on finding the differences or teaching to accept these differences. For example, if homosexuality is found to be determined genetically, does it mean society should be more accepting of it? Why not be more accepting of it anyway even if it is purely a lifestyle choice?

2. The ability to diagnose a genetic disease only creates anxiety and frustration since there will be no treatment for the disease. The current method only allows us to predict a person’s chances of getting a genetic disease. Researchers might eventually develop some therapeutic treatments to genetic diseases, but until then, this criticism remains important.

3. Social and political mechanism to regulate the outcome of the research is insufficient. Due to genetic variation, there is not a definite gene sequence that defines normal. It will be hard to discuss public policy. Also, we do not know what it will do to the minority community and how it will change people’s perspective towards them.

4. Controlling the manipulation of the genetic material and information concerns the critics. Who should own and safeguard the genetic information is a unknown.

5. Ethical questions such as whether having the ability equals having to take action need to be considered. Should the scientist do this science just because they can? Some critics brought up the creation of atomic bomb, which caused more harm than good.

6. Fairness in the use of the genetic information by insurers, employers, courts, schools, adoption agencies, and the military, among others raises questions. We do not know who should have access to personal information and how it will be used.