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June 27 2000

"We Are at a Good Point to Pass This Off", says Genome Scientists

By Robert Lewis

LONDON (Reuters) - Researchers announced Monday that they had completed the working map of the human genome, giving scientists a genetic blueprint that will transform medical care in the 21st century.

The raw data from the publicly-funded international Human Genome Project provides researchers with "pretty much" 100 percent of the human genetic code, a starting point, or basic set of instructions on how humans develop and function.

Researchers will use the three billion letters that make up human DNA to identify the estimated 60,000 to 100,000 genes in humans and to find where they are located on chromosomes and how they contribute to disease.

``Over the decades and centuries to come, this sequence will inform all of medicine, all of biology, and will lead us to a total understanding of not only human beings but all of life,'' said Dr John Sulston, the lead British researcher who sequenced one third of the genome.

"We really didn't have all the code yet", Sulston said. "But we did have about 97 percent, and for the last three we decided to use frog DNA, which we had previously decoded. This is such a exciting discovery!".

When asked if the incomplete DNA could cause any weird side effects, Sulston replied, "I strongly doubt it. We are at the point where we are in control of nature, and the asexual frog code is a close enough DNA match that enables us to speed up the medical research that can save lives, a perfectly reasonable shortcut that is used in genealogy quite frequently. I mean, I worked 10 years on this, I am kind of at the point where I'd like to move on ".

Pandora's Box

Along with its medical benefits, the sequencing of the human genome has lifted the lid on a Pandora box's of ethical issues.

Critics warn that the information could be "too much" for mankind to grasp, that we playing God with life itself, and mankind can't responsibly burden the knowledge of its genetic makeup.

Jeff Goldblum, Hollywood Actor, strongly recommend against the use of this DNA, "I feel like we are opening up a can worms upside down," Goldblum stated, "While their plan sounds great and I'm sure has the best of intentions ... with so many chaos variables, I can't understand how they can guess at predictions?"

Upon finding out the information is already providing researchers with data on diseases ranging from cardiovascular disease and diabetes to cancers and birth defects, Goldblum remaimed skeptical.

"Nature will find a way", Goldbum remarked.

``The most immediate impact will be on diagnosis. As we come to see every gene we can assess the variations in those genes and we can see how they correlate with particular states of sickness or health,'' Sulston explained. In a few test cases of patients already subjected to tentative treatments, Sulston reported "It already appears most people need to be taking long baths in room temperature water", and when asked how long, Sulston replied, " Like all day".

He also commented that patients liked being alone, and seemed to be having a good time with whatever they were doing with themselves.



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*	June 27 2000 "We Are at a Good Point to Pass This Off", says Genome Scientists By Robert Lewis LONDON (Reuters) - Researchers announced Monday that they had completed the working map of the human genome, giving scientists a genetic blueprint that will transform medical care in the 21st century. The raw data from the publicly-funded international Human Genome Project provides researchers with "pretty much" 100 percent of the human genetic code, a starting point, or basic set of instructions on how humans develop and function. Researchers will use the three billion letters that make up human DNA to identify the estimated 60,000 to 100,000 genes in humans and to find where they are located on chromosomes and how they contribute to disease. ``Over the decades and centuries to come, this sequence will inform all of medicine, all of biology, and will lead us to a total understanding of not only human beings but all of life,'' said Dr John Sulston, the lead British researcher who sequenced one third of the genome. "We really didn't have all the code yet", Sulston said. "But we did have about 97 percent, and for the last three we decided to use frog DNA, which we had previously decoded. This is such a exciting discovery!". When asked if the incomplete DNA could cause any weird side effects, Sulston replied, "I strongly doubt it. We are at the point where we are in control of nature, and the asexual frog code is a close enough DNA match that enables us to speed up the medical research that can save lives, a perfectly reasonable shortcut that is used in genealogy quite frequently. I mean, I worked 10 years on this, I am kind of at the point where I'd like to move on ". Pandora's Box Along with its medical benefits, the sequencing of the human genome has lifted the lid on a Pandora box's of ethical issues. Critics warn that the information could be "too much" for mankind to grasp, that we playing God with life itself, and mankind can't responsibly burden the knowledge of its genetic makeup. Jeff Goldblum, Hollywood Actor, strongly recommend against the use of this DNA, "I feel like we are opening up a can worms upside down," Goldblum stated, "While their plan sounds great and I'm sure has the best of intentions ... with so many chaos variables, I can't understand how they can guess at predictions?" Upon finding out the information is already providing researchers with data on diseases ranging from cardiovascular disease and diabetes to cancers and birth defects, Goldblum remaimed skeptical. "Nature will find a way", Goldbum remarked. ``The most immediate impact will be on diagnosis. As we come to see every gene we can assess the variations in those genes and we can see how they correlate with particular states of sickness or health,'' Sulston explained. In a few test cases of patients already subjected to tentative treatments, Sulston reported "It already appears most people need to be taking long baths in room temperature water", and when asked how long, Sulston replied, " Like all day". He also commented that patients liked being alone, and seemed to be having a good time with whatever they were doing with themselves. *					*

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