The Future of Genetic Research

Human Genome Project Completed in 2003 Sequenced entire genome of a human being (6.4 billion nucleotides) Made several interesting discoveries: 1) only about 1.5 % of our DNA make up our genes 2) we have ~19,000 genes (less than expected) 3) much of our DNA (~50%) consists of repeating short sequences 4) All humans have DNA that is 99.9% the same

Future of Genetics The human genome project has been described as “a parts list for the human body” Still have to figure out how these parts are put together and how they work with each other Includes several fields of study

Bioinformatics Creating databases of DNA information in order to analyze it to find patterns and irregularities

Genomics The study of genomes and the relationship between genotypes and phenotypes All of our cells have the same DNA but they look very different and have different functions

Genomics This shows that DNA is not the only factor determining phenotype Certain genes are expressed in some cells but not in others. WHY?? How are genes “turned on” or “turned off”?

Proteomics Genes make proteins but proteins may be altered even though DNA has not changed Proteomics is the wide scale study of proteins, their three dimensional structure and their functions Even though we only have 19,000 genes, we have over 100,000 different types of proteins in our body

Ethical Considerations Who owns our genes? Who has the right to see them? Will we be aware of genetic changes made to our food and other living things? Can the knowledge of genetics be used in unethical ways?