...The Human Genome Project The biotechnology application that I have chosen is The Human Genome. Biotechnology is define as any technological application that uses biological systems, dead organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use. The human Genome Project is considered a biotechnology application because it produced a reference sequence of the euchromatic human genome, which is used worldwide in biomedical sciences. The Human Genome Project was an international scientific research project with a primary goal to determine the sequence of chemical base pairs which make up DNA and to identify and map the approximately 20,000-25,000 genes of the human genome from both a physical and functional standpoint. This project lasted for 13-years and was coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health. The potential benefits of the project are: It will provide Molecular Medicine which will improve diagnosis of disease, will have earlier detection of genetic predispositions to disease, and provide Gene therapy and control systems for drugs. It will use Energy and Environmental Applications which will use microbial genomics research to create new energy sources (biofuels) and develop environmental monitoring techniques to detect pollutants. Risk Assessment which will assess health damage and risks caused by radiation exposure, including low-dose exposures and exposure to mutagenic chemicals and cancer-causing...
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...The greatest scientific accomplishment ever is almost complete. What could be a greater accomplishment than man on the moon? Only one thing comes to mind, mapping of the human genome. The human genome is 3.2 billion letters long. Ninety-seven percent of it is useless trash. The Human Genome Project was created a little over a decade ago. With the project coming to an end researchers will be able to figure out exactly how each gene functions--and, more important, malfunctions to trigger deadly illnesses from heart disease to cancer (Time 1999). There is a mad race to see who will finish first. A couple of companies are in the running to finish by 2003. Independently funded Celera Genomics Corp. is in first, closely followed by the Human Genome Project, which is funded by the US government, and behind the most powerful country in the world is The Sanger Centre in England. James Watson and others started the Human Genome Project in 1988. James Watson was also the co-discover of the structure of DNA. The human instruction book was thought to take fifteen years and three billion dollars, but the project is ahead of schedule and under budget. At first people felt that we weren’t ready for the start of the Human Genome Project. The Human Genome Project started off slow, but gained much momentum after key scientist and computers were involved. The Celera Genomics company is in the lead because Craig Venter the leading scientist of Celera. Pharmaceutical companies fund Celera Genomics...
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...Human Genome Project Website Evaluation We are humans and we all eat. But have you ever wondered what’s in that banana you’re eating? Is it really just a simple banana that grew on a tree? Or is it perhaps something much, much more complex? It’s 2013 and a big debated issue is argued on genetically modification of food and organisms. The Human Genome Project (HGP) helps people understand and identify what exactly genetically modified food and organisms are (GMO). Publications and webpages on this site were created by the U.S. Department of Energy Genome Program's Biological and Environmental Research Information System and all other materials were provided by “third parties” and not created by the U.S. Department of Energy. The Human Genome Project started in 1990, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy and National Institutes of Health, and completed their research in 2003. This thirteen-year study was designed for people to understand what genetically modified organisms are. “The project originally was planned to last 15 years, but rapid technological advances accelerated the completion date to 2003” (Human). When one first enters the site, they can see there are many tabs at the top of the page and side margins directing one to other specific research done by HGP. Along the top of the page, the site provides tabs that explain information on a more in-depth description of genes and what exactly is going on in the microbiology essence, for those who wouldn’t quite...
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...everyone has done it. It is as much a part of the human condition as any of life’s endeavors. As in the poem I Go Back to May 1937 by Sharon Olds; we sometimes explore the idea of altering our fate through changing the past. What if we could change our fate, or even just ensure a better future for your off-spring? Each of us possesses genetic material that is built upon a code that makes every organism unique. The technology to alter our genetic make-up is getting closer by the minute. I am referring to The Human Genome Project. What is a genome and what is this project you ask? The National Institute of Health or NHI defines a genome as: A genome is an organism’s complete set of DNA, including all of its genes. Each genome contains all of the information needed to build and maintain that organism. In humans, a copy of the entire genome—more than 3 billion DNA base pairs—is contained in all cells that have a nucleus. Basically, it is a map of how our DNA is assembled. DNA is a compound that is and the NHI gives this definition of DNA, “DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms. Nearly every cell in a person’s body has the same DNA.” There are four kinds of DNA and depending on how they are arranged, defines your genetic make-up. This arrangement forms a map of sorts, and this map is the genome. Ever since DNA was discovered in 1953, scientists have wanted to make the human genome (Genetics Home Reference, 2013). Ultimately...
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...178). Because of technology, these instruments have been made available now and in the future for the use of personalized medicinal products. This paper provides an overview of how modern genetic technology may lead to personalized medicine, and to give examples two or more specific benefits of personalized medicine: a discussion of its drawbacks and limitations of the approach to human medicine. “Modern Genetic Technology and Personalized Medicine” Modern technology is constantly growing in our world, for us to understand how modern genetic technology may lead to personalized medicine and the importance personalized medicine. Personalized medicine is the tailoring of medical treatment for an individual with the unique characteristics for each patient. This approach is a scientific breakthrough for us to understand how a person’s unique molecular and genetic profile makes them susceptible to certain diseases. This same research is increasing our ability to predict and recognize which medical treatments will be safe and effective for each patient (Consumer Health, 2007). The Human Genome project of 2003, enlighten our understanding of the genetic component of disease that...
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...distinctions to diagnose more finely individual’s disease, select treatments that increase the chances of a successful outcome and reduce possible adverse reactions. Personalized medicine is also the ability to predict an individual’s susceptibility to diseases and thus to try to shape steps that may help to avoid or reduce the extent to which an individual will experience a disease. With that being said, the advancement in technology has made it possible for doctors and geneticists use a person’s DNA to find out what kinds of diseases are in their future; thus making it possible for them to make a stepping stone to prevent them. “The completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 opened the door for better understanding of genetic components of disease that will shape the future practice of medicine. The Human Genome Project detailed the map of our DNA sequence allowing researchers to develop tools to further explore genetic variation across the globe (International HapMap Consortium 2003) (E. Phillips, 2007).” Discuss the benefits of personalized medicine. There are several benefits to personalized...
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...Lyndsey Kessler English 4A 24th Nov. 2014 Mrs. Nills Biomedical Technology: Today’s Experiments Tomorrow’s Medicine I am sure you have heard of mammograms and MRIs, but did you know that they are a part of biomedical technology? Biomedical technology is any medical imaging device or a medical practice that involves biology or technology. Some people do not believe in biomedical technology because they say it had not been proven safe or effective, but it has already saved lives. This is why biomedical technology should be used in medical practices My first reason is that biomedical technology could help save many lives. This technology has the potential to cure many diseases, one example is that scientists have found that stem cells can become a wide variety of specialized cells, this could help cure Alzheimer’s. They also have the potential to help people that are paralyzed. Biomedical technology has already found ways to detect and cure many life threatening diseases. With mammograms and MRIs doctors can detect breast cancer along with other diseases much faster than they have been able to in the past. This could potentially help cure those who are diagnosed. My second reason is that biomedical technology can increase treatment options. Since mammograms and MRIs help detect diseases sooner there are many different ways to treat these diseases some of which may not be as severe. For example instead of doing radiation for cancer right away you could undergo surgery to...
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... "Industry's beef with meat recall centers on USDA inability to enforce regulations." Nation's Restaurant News 42.10 (2008): 4, 67. Business Full Text. Web. 22 May 2010. Finamore, Catherine. "Common Good, Common Sense." The Internal Auditor 62.4 (2005): 35-8. Business Full Text. Web. 22 May 2010. Fishman, Charles. "The Anarchist's Cookbook." Fast Company July 2004: 70-8. Business Full Text. Web. 22 May 2010. Garber, Amy. "McD seeks less cruel way to kill chickens." Nation's Restaurant News 39.4 (2005): 1, 43. Business Full Text. Web. 22 May 2010. "Genetically Modified Foods and Organisms ." Human Genome Project Information. genomics.energy.gov, 05 Nov 2008. Web. 25 Jun 2010. <http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml>. “Investigation Update: Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium Infections, 2008–2009." Department of Health and Human Services; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. USA.Gov, 17 Mar 2009. Web. 12 Jun 2010. <http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/typhimurium/update.html>. "Issues: Animal Welfare." AVMA: American Veterinary Medical Association. American Veterinary Medical Association, 2010. Web. 30 Jun 2010. <http://www.avma.org/issues/animal_welfare/default.asp>. Jennings, Lisa. "Puck ‘humane,’ ‘natural’ policy prods ethics...
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...sample of blood or other body fluids/tissues, for health or medical identification purposes; it’s also a type of medical test that identifies changes in chromosomes, genes, or proteins (Genetic Testing). The Human Genome Project, human cloning and stem cell research are all part of this group. Genetic cloning is the reproduction of a new organism that is, at all stages of development, genetically virtually identical to a currently existing, or previously existing, being (Clone). Stem cell is an unspecialized cell that gives rise to a specific specialized cell, such as a blood cell, and they have the ability to divide for indefinite periods in culture and to give rise to specialized cells (Stem Cell). The Human Genome Project was an international research effort to determine the sequence of the human genome and identify the genes that it contains. The Human Genome Project formally began in 1990 and was completed in 2003 (Human Genome Project). “The purpose of the Human Genome Project has allowed researchers to begin to understand the blueprint for building a person. As researchers learned more about the functions of genes and proteins, their knowledge has had a major impact in the fields of medicine, biotechnology, and the life sciences” (What Was the Human Genome Project and Why...
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...baby refers to the genetic modification of the child in its early fetal life. The world of genetic modification has long moved on from the days of Dolly the Sheep. How is a designer baby created? * An embryo is created by in-vitro fertilization (IVF). * A single cell is removed from that embryo within the first 5 days of its creation. * The cell is genetically tested. * The parents decide whether to discard the embryo or implant it in the mother's womb. Human Genome Project The Human Genome Project (HGP) was the international, collaborative research program whose goal was the complete mapping and understanding of all the genes of human beings. All our genes together are known as our "genome." The Human Genome Project started in the 1980s as an organized effort to provide the information researchers need to understand the genetic basis of all disease. GINA is the first major federal law to come out of the Ethical, Legal and Social Implications portion of the Human Genome Project. This law made sure that people were treated fairly when it came to getting a job and stuff like that even if they had a disorder or disease Literature review Mark Hughes, a pioneer of the PGD process and director of Genesis Genetics Institute says, “It’s technically feasible and it can be done,” adding that “no legitimate lab...
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...and clinical information that will allow accurate predictions to be made about an individual’s susceptibility to a developing disease, the course of that disease and the response to treatment (Cohen, 2008). Modern genetic technology started with the genome project which leads to the benefits and development of personalized medicine (Cohen, 2008). The human genome is the blueprint for each person's body, influencing how we look, our genetic predispositions for certain medical conditions, how well our bodies fight disease or metabolize food, and which therapies our bodies do and do not respond to (Hart, 2005). The genome consists of an organism's total DNA, including its genes. DNA—the famous "double helix"—is composed of four chemicals, which are repeated many times in different sequences (Jain, 2007). (The names of the chemicals are abbreviated as A, T, C, and G. That's why DNA is sometimes referred to as a code with a four-letter alphabet) (Jain, 2007). The sequence of the chemicals dictates the type of organism that develops, as well as other critical life functions. The human genome contains approximately 3 billion pairs of these chemicals (Jain, 2007). Genes are believed to make up only about 2 percent of the human genome, with the rest consisting...
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...Preventing a Brave New World Derek Brown Grantham University Abstract This paper wills discuss Leon Kass's conclusion that reproductive and therapeutic cloning of human embryos is unethical. It will also converse the steps in Kass's argument for his conclusion and will talk about the strengths and weaknesses of this argument? Preventing a Brave New World You ever see the mover Jurassic Park? Did you take notice the basis of the of is about cloning dinosaurs DNA; I know for one, the world is not ready for dinosaurs to walk free about the earth again. This also brings to mind a movie titled "The Boys from Brazil". This movie too depicts cloning, where the DNA of Hitler is used to clone babies with intent of one them again reigning over Germany; the world wouldn't be ready for another holocaust. To continue heading down in which cloning is the standard, then these types of cloning are a definite likelihood. Would you be ready for a "brave new world?" Or would you try to "prevent a brave new world?" You decided! Would it be so bad to have a world were all is good, no disease, famine, or illness; everyone is the epitome of their father and mother eyes and all those living in a world where cloning the norm. There are those in the here and now who see cloning, in all it facets, as a good and wonderful thing, to be done by all, if your hearts so desires. "Some among us are delighted, of course by the this state of affairs: some scientist and biotechnologist...
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... Religion and Science In the beginning there was darkness. Then there was light. Then there was consciousness. Then there were questions and then there was religion. Why are we? Where do we come from? Why does the world and nature act as it does? What happens when we die? Religion tended to the answer to all these questions with the stories of gods and other supernatural forces that were beyond the understanding of humans. Where science seems able to explain everything with prove and evidence right before your eyes. Science deals with the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. ‘’Creationism", another view on man's origin, means belief in creation in a more general sense. A Creationist may believe that the earth is billions of years old, and that simple forms of life evolved gradually to form more complex forms including humans. In addition to that belief, however, is the belief that a supernatural Creator initiated the life process and continues to control it. The most reasonable view on the origin of mankind is known as naturalistic evolution. It means a gradual process by which one kind of living creature changes into something different; evolution that is not directed by any purposeful intelligence. Another part of the idea is that more complex forms have arisen from simpler forms. Tracing...
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...Philosophical Paper Gattica, Andrew Niccol DeVry University HUMN 424 “Gattica” Andrew Niccol If we could be genetically engineered for perfection, what would the world be like? What if genetically engineered offspring were for sale? These were some of the scenario’s that were explored in the movie Gattica by Andrew Niccol. DNA science has been around for quite some time and dates back as early as 1869 with the first noted discovery of a microscopic substance in the pus of discarded surgical bandages. This film explores the existence of man if it were possible to genetically engineer life to perfection. Some of the things I will explore is the morality of genetic engineering as well as the reality of it all. The very first images that appear in the film are two quotes. These two quotes, one a biblical reference from Ecclesiastes and the other from William Gaylin, provide contrasting views on tampering with nature and immediately provide us with an insight into the film. Directly after this we are shown extreme close-ups of body parts such as hairs, dead skin and nail clippings falling, although I did not realize what they are immediately. This also gives the impressions that body parts are going to play a large part in Gattaca. During the opening credits, in all the names the letters A, C, T, and G are highlighted.( Gattaca (1997)) The relevance of this is that these four letters make up all the possible DNA combinations. This is something that I wasn’t aware of...
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...The Human Genome Project (HGP) was one of the great feats of exploration in history - an inward voyage of discovery rather than an outward exploration of the planet or the cosmos; an international research effort to sequence and map all of the genes - together known as the genome - of members of our species, Homo sapiens. The Human Genome Project was started in 1990 with the goal of sequencing and identifying all three billion chemical units in the human genetic instruction set, finding the genetic roots of disease and then developing treatments. It is considered a Mega Project because the human genome has approximately 3.3 billion base-pairs. With the sequence in hand, the next step was to identify the genetic variants that increase the risk for common diseases like cancer and diabetes. It was far too expensive at that time to think of sequencing patients’ whole genomes. So the National Institutes of Health embraced the idea for a "shortcut", which was to look just at sites on the genome where many people have a variant DNA unit. The theory behind the shortcut was that, since the major diseases are common, so too would be the genetic variants that caused them. Natural selection keeps the human genome free of variants that damage health before children are grown, the theory held, but fails against variants that strike later in life, allowing them to become quite common. (In 2002 the National Institutes of Health started a $138 million project called the HapMap to catalog the...
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