The Significance of the Human Genome Project

Over the years, man has tried to understand himself. What makes people sick? How do you attribute some characters in people? Why do we have people of different races? How do you treat diseases? It is in the backdrop of these queries and curiosity that the human genome project was introduced and remains a major area of focus by different governments across the globe. It is estimated that every cell found in a human being carries more than 4000 different genes the project seeks to establish and understand the entire nucleotide sequence of the DNA.

The project require comprehensive but concise research in laboratories, and how the human gene compares with other organisms. There is a lot that should be discovered that should inform various decisions. It might be easier to know where is DNA found, but it becomes more complicated to understand how they function. What instructions are passed down from parents to their offspring and how? Conceived way back in the 1980s, the human genome project can now be considered a success. It has been rigorous, but worthwhile.

Even though not well understood, what most people still don’t get is the benefits and disadvantages of the multi-million dollar project of this kind. Discussed herein are a few for your information.

It is estimated that there are more than 30,000 known diseases in the world. That is a huge number considering the need for proper medical care. When you fall sick, you will definitely need to see a doctor. There are however some diseases whose causes remain unknown, simply because they are associated with the DNA. Proper understanding of a problem’s source is the surest way to figure out how to prevent. As long as it is easy to predict medical conditions, prevention will become possible. In the event that the same cannot be prevented, then a possible treatment becomes easy to figure out. Sometimes, all that is needed is lifestyle changes. Some of the common genetic medical disorders include anemia and cystic fibrosis.

It is important to emphasize that governments spend a lot of money on health globally. Different regions are prone to specific medical conditions. There are some risks that can be predicted even before babies are born. With the aid of a DNA test kit, possible risks to the unborn can be detected, which is important when planning the kid’s future.

You can only manage disease with proper medicines. Why is it paramount that kids be vaccinated against various complications such as polio? The world of medicine has advanced, and organizations such as Center for Disease Control and Conservation (CDC) are working round the clock to come up with reliable drugs and remedies for various diseases. With best genetic testing, doctors can establish the true cause of the medical condition and prescribe the right medicine to eradicate or manage the disease. The effectiveness of any form of medicine is dependent on its proper usage. An anti-biotic, for example, may not be effective in treating an infection caused by a virus.

When someone gets sick, the most important thing they focus on is getting better. They will obviously be asked to undergo a myriad of tests, which may come out negative or positive. With genetic fingerprinting, this is simplified for all. A typical lab test may not show genetically-caused conditions, but better technique will possibly show. This becomes even easier with the aid of modern-day DNA test kits that are currently available from different sources across the globe.

Investing crime can be tasking. You have to find unknown criminals who has fled the scene of crime and ensure that they are apprehended. This process can be simplified through human genome project as it becomes easier to analyze evidence found on the scene of crime with the suspect. In fact, it is believed that in the very near future, it will be possible to even figure out the skin color, eyes and even color, making it easy to nab the bad people in the society.

Despite the above advantages of human genome project, there are a few challenges and risks involved. Some people may not be ready for the outcome after using DNA test kit. This is especially when they learn that they are susceptible to some gene-related complications. It is also feared that insurance companies, upon discovering such risks, they can adjust their premiums upwards. Before undertaking the best genetic testing, individuals must be informed about these risks and ensure that they are prepared for anything that might come their way.