HGP- The Human Genome Project

LO: What is the HGP and what are its benefits and drawbacks?

The human genome is all the DNA that is found in your nucleus. Some of it codes for genes. You inherit genes from your parents and they can coide for your characteristics

The Human Genome ProjectCompleted in 2003, the Human Genome Project (HGP) was a 13-year project coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health. During the early years of the HGP, the Wellcome Trust (U.K.) became a major partner; additional contributions came from Japan, France, Germany, China, and others. Lots of countries helped and this collaboration helped to speed up the completion of the project. TEAM WORK!

What were its aimsIdentify all the approximately 20,000-25,000 genes in human DNA, Determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA, Store this information in databases,

Now we know the bases sequence of all human genes this information can be used in medicine:1. Personalised medicine. This means every patient

could be given a different medicine based on their genes. It would reduce side affects of medicine

2. Giving a person healthy genes if they have a genetic disease like cystic fibrosis

3. Improving the accuracy of paternity testing

4. Checking a couples embryos to make sure their child does not have a genetic disease

1. Personalised medicine. This means every patient could be given a different medicine based on their genes. It would reduce side affects of medicine

NO side affects!

2. Giving a person healthy genes if they have a genetic disease like cystic fibrosis

Put healthy genes into this boys lungs cells and he would stop feeling the effects of cystic fibrosis

If untreated this boy would not expect to live beyond 35

3. Improving the accuracy of paternity testing

This is a DNA fingerprint. It is used to identify criminals and used to identify the father of a child. The HGP means there is no mistakes!!

4. Checking a couples embryos to make sure their child does not have a genetic disease

If a couple think their future babies will have a genetic disease they can ask doctors to check the genes in the embryo.They will only use an embryo that is healthy

The problems1. Some people are worried that if

employees (your boss) sees that your genes are weak, or show you will get a disease, they may not employ you

2. Some people think if life insurance companies see that your genes will give you a disease they will charge you lots of money

3. Some people think that if their genes tell them they will get a disease when they’re older they may get depressed

The problems1. Some people are worried that if

employees (your boss) sees that your genes are weak, or show you will get a disease, they may not employ you

“Your genes aren’t good enough!”

The problems2. Some people think if life insurance

companies see that your genes will give you a disease they will charge you lots of money

The problems3. Some people think that if their genes

tell them they will get a disease when they’re older they may get depressed