Human Genome Project

SURAYA MOHIDUL – What is it?

The Human Genome Project formally started in 1990 and was completed in 2003, making the project a 13-year long venture. The project was coordinated by the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Energy. The project received additional help from American universities and international collaborators in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, and China. Dubbed one of the largest collaborative research projects, the Human Genome Project had the goal of determining the base pairs that make up human DNA as well as identifying and mapping all of the genes of the human genome. Besides the main goals of identifying genes and determining sequences, the project also had goals to store the information gathered in databases, improve data analysis tools, transfer related technologies to the private sector, and address any ethical, legal, and social issues that could have arisen from the project. 

What are the results?

From the Human Genome Project, it was found that there are approximately 22,300 protein-coding genes in human beings. The same range can be found in other mammals. It was also found that the human genome has significantly more segmental duplications (highly homologous sequence elements). The finished sequence that was found covers 99% of the human genome’s gene-containing regions with an accuracy of 99.99%. Below, you can find the individual goals made out by this project and how they were achieved along with the date they were achieved. 

Benefits from this Project

The ultimate result of the Human Genome Project was the resource of detailed information that became readily available to the world. These very results hold many benefits for many scientific fields. Through the information obtained, we can understand DNA and its relation to diseases in many ways. For example, by using the data from the project, we can better understand the genotyping of viruses for appropriate treatment, identification of cancer mutations, accurate predictions of medication, advancements in forensic sciences, biofuels, evolution, and many more. Although many might not consider this to be a benefit, the sequencing of DNA has led to the commercial development of genomics research. This, in turn, has led to a multibillion-dollar industry through companies such as 23andMe. Overall, with this data, health care providers have a better ability to treat, prevent, and cure disease. 

Photography Source: https://www.thoughtco.com/introduction-to-the-human-genome-project-4154188