he Human Genome project proposes to map one's genetic coding. An individual’s mapped genome is compared to the already read and mapped parts of the Human Genome (Genome Canada, 2006; M. Belouchi, personal communication, March 29, 2007). Thus, doctors could theoretically treat patients before symptoms of diseases appear (National Geographic News, 2006). This is done either by identifying any deficiencies in the individual’s genome or by examining the family history of the individual (National Geographic News, 2006). Any problems in the family history could potentially lead to diseases such as cancer, since the offspring inherits genes from each parent. In fact, geneticists are able to now find genetic mutations in DNA that lead to certain diseases. Thus, scientists can discover any mismatches (DNA molecules that don’t bond together perfectly) in the specific individual’s DNA (Genome Canada, 2006; M. Belouchi, personal communication, March 29, 2007).

       t is, however, at this point in time, impossible for geneticists to cure these mismatches, or mutations in DNA. Ideally, they could send in artificially created strands of DNA to pair up with other strands, getting rid of mutated molecules. However, scientists have not been able to cure mismatches, for when the DNA is sent into the body, white blood cells and anti-bodies attack and destroy the DNA molecule. On one occasion, these molecules were sent in the body, disguised as viruses. They successfully reached the mutation. However, the virus still contained some of its dangerous contents, killing the infected cells (H. Sleiman, personal communication, March 29, 2007). Geneticists know what the problem is, but cannot cure mutations in the human genome.

Using the HGP

       eneticists worldwide are battling head to head in a competition (H. Sleiman, personal communication, March 29, 2007).They are trying to discover how to analyze the human genome very quickly and efficiently. So far, geneticists are trying to see how few nucleotides (component molecules of DNA) can be read to determine the pattern of the genome. Since single DNA strands can be made up of over 600 nucleotides, mapping the genome takes a long time, and lots of money. Scientists have discovered that by analyzing 18 base pairs, they can detect any similarities in that one strand of DNA. With this number, reading is done efficiently. They must therefore repeat this for all strands of DNA collected.

The Search for a Cure

Huntington's Disease

       he Human Genome Project has the potential to cure many diseases. It has already greatly helped reverse diabetes in mice (Collins, F. & Barker, A.D, 2007; National Geographic News, 2006). As Collins and Barker (2007) stated, the internal body structures of mice are much like ours, thus this is the first step to curing diabetes. The Human Genome Project has made monumental advances in studying ovarian cancer as well (Collins, F. & Barker, A.D, 2007). Geneticists are able to identify diseases only by comparison. By reading and analyzing the DNA of patients with the same disease, they will likely find an SNP (gene mutation) in common. On average, there is one genetic mutation per person in every 1000 genes analyzed. There are, however, in one’s body, 10000 genetic mutations a day. As professor Majid Belouchi (2007), from Genizon Canada stated: proteins, microscopic “nanomachines” repair these SNPs by removing and replacing faulty DNA bases with perfectly accurate ones.

       n some cases, however, cells have to commit suicide, rather than contaminate neighboring cells (M. Belouchi, personal communication, March 29, 2007; Harmon, 2007). Genetic mutations during one’s lifetime, however, are not the only cause for disease. Genetically inherited diseases, such as Huntington’s disease, are passed on from parent to child. Huntington’s disease, a horrible condition passed on genetically, is a progressive degenerative neurological disease. In this new age of technology, one can now choose to know whether they possess the disease or not. This is done by performing a series of tests in which geneticists retrieve DNA, comparing it with other affected patients.

       cientists can simply examine the genetic mutations to see if the tested patients have genetic problems in common. Once the SNPs is found in common, the patient knows they have Huntington’s disease. In this case, genetic mutations cannot be reversed. The disease is passed on with the inheritance of genes. In this disease, the sickness’ gene is dominant. If each parent possesses a dominant and recessive gene, the child has a fifty percent chance of receiving the dominant gene and thus developing the disease. The dominant gene over-rules the recessive one. If either parent possesses two dominant genes, the child will be diseased. In most families, however, neither parents possess the diseased gene (M. Belouchi, personal communication, March 29, 2007; New York Times, 2007). These basic principles are known as Gregor Mendel’s, the father of modern genetics, Laws of Inheritance (Chromosome theory of heredity, 1999).