Introduction to the Human Genome Project

A Beginner's Guide to the HGP and its Implications

Feb 8, 2009

The Human Genome Project was a 13-year international research project that aimed (and succeeded) to sequence the human genome.

A genome is an organism’s genetic makeup in its entirety. The human genome has around 20,500 genes. These genes are made of a molecule called DNA, most of which is housed in the nucleus of the body’s cells. These genes instruct proteins, which tell the body how to grow and function.

What was The Human Genome Project?

The Human Genome Project (HGP) started in 1990, and was expected to take fifteen years to complete. The first draft, which included 90% of the genome, was published in 2001. The project was completed in 2003, two years earlier than anticipated.

In the article An Overview of the Human Genome Project (NHGRI’s website), the project’s resulting data are described as “a resource of detailed information about the structure, organization and function of the complete set of human genes”. This information is stored in databases, which are accessible online.

This information can help researchers move forward in the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and management of health problems. Gaining knowledge about genomes can also progress other fields such as agriculture, energy production and carbon sequestration.

The Human Genome and Base Pairs

The human genome is often referred to as having “3 billion base pairs”. What does this mean? The DNA molecule has a double-helix structure, and is sometimes compared to a "twisted ladder". It is made up of four bases, chemical components called:

Article What Is a Gene? on the tech’s Understanding Genetics website uses the analogy of “rungs” on the DNA’s twisted ladder. One rung contains two chemicals, a base pair, linked by a hydrogen bond. In DNA, adenine pairs with thymine, and cytosine pairs with guanine.

The order of these base pairs differs between different organisms. Human biology is furthered by studying non-human genomes, as the similarities and differences can be explored. For example, the study of mice, fruit flies and e-coli have all contributed to the understanding of the human genome.

Implications of the Human Genome Project

The HGP has had a huge impact to both the science community and the public. The Ethical, Legal and Social Implications research program (ELSI) was developed to explore issues arising as a result of the project. It continues to be an important part of the HGP, particularly since the project’s data are available online.

Although this makes for an accessible, time-saving resource, it is also important to question how such information might be used. According to the article Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues on the U.S. Department of Energy Website, examples of societal concerns include (but are not limited to):

Sources

Human Genome Project Fact Sheet, National Institutes of Health website, accessed: 5th February 2009, no author specified.

An Overview of the Human Genome Project, National Human Genome Research Institute website, accessed: 5th February 2009, no author specified.

Human Genome Project Information, U.S. Department of Energy Website, accessed: 5th February 2009, no author specified.

The copyright of the article Introduction to the Human Genome Project in Human Genetics is owned by Barbara Melville. Permission to republish Introduction to the Human Genome Project in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.