Ethical Beliefs on the Human Genome Project - Essay Example

Human Genome Project of Genome is a collection of molecular information encoding various instructions in an organism. According to Quackenbush & Sulston (2011), most organisms have Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as the main constituent of genome. Depending on pairing in DNA bases, specific gene encodes specific information. Abnormal pairing or alteration in pairing of DNA bases results to varieties of genetic complications, which can be inheritable. Several studies have been carried in an attempt to explore more about genome.

Various institutions and projects have, thus, been established where molecular researches are carried out. This paper discusses the Human Genome Project. The paper is divided into three parts. The first section discusses how genetic engineering will impact various fields, especially the fields of medicine and biotechnology. The section describes how the knowledge about genes will change or improve an individual’s life. Section two clarifies whether knowledge obtained from genetic studies can be used in eradication of diseases.

In brief, section two informs that every disease is associated with specific gene and modification of a disease-causing gene could fully or partially suppress the disease. Section three, on the other hand, discusses how genetic studies have raised ethical issues. The section, moreover, highlights how genetic engineering has led to moral degradation of societal principles. Key Words: Human Genome Project, Effects, Ethical IssuesIntroductionThe Human Genome Project (HGP) aims at exploring more about the structure and functionality of human DNA (Palladino, 2005).

The project is based on four specific objectives. The foremost objectives are to identify all genes that constitute human DNA and to determine sequences of chemical base pairs of human DNA. Also, the project aim at improving storage and usage of information related to genetic studies (Palladino, 2005). Because the project has triggered various ethical issues, the fourth objective is to address ethical issues surrounding genetic engineering. Since its establishment, Human Genome Project has made various advances and consequently, the technology is yet to be transferred to various private sectors.

However, before transfer it is imperative to understanding future consequences of HGP. This paper, thus, explore more about future effects of genetic engineering or genetic testing. In addition, the paper clarifies whether the technology can be used to treat diseases. Also, the paper highlights ethical implications of the technology.Future Effects of Genetic StudiesThe study of human genome will lead to more advances in the fields of biotechnology and medicine. Through genetic study, many medical companies will devise easy ways of administering genetic tests.

Improved procedures will also show predisposition to a range of illnesses. Proper interpretation of genetic information of a disease will lead to discovery of suitable management or therapeutic options. According to Russ & Rosenthal (2010), deep understanding of disease processes at molecular biology level determines suitability of new therapeutic procedures. Therefore, there will be an expansion of knowledge clinical fields. Genetic study will also provide easy ways of studying specific genes, which is an advantage to biological scientists.

By accessing human genome databases, scientists will obtain all biological, physical, and chemical properties of different genes. HGP will, in addition, have a great contribution in the study of evolution. Genetic study involves analyzing similarities and differences of genes of various living organism (Russ & Rosenthal, 2010). Findings of such analysis are vital when studying origin of organisms. Human Genome and Disease EradicationKhoury et al (2000) asserts that each human disease has a genetic component.

Using genetic information associated with a particular disease, causes of genetic diseases are easily identified. Diseases such as the Down syndrome, sickle celled anemia, and Huntington have been effectively studied using genetic studies. Due to genetic analysis of various diseases, variety of diseases can be successfully eradicated through human genomic studies (Strachan & Read, 2010). The procedure involves identifying and localizing gene(s) responsible for a disease. Inheritance pattern of the chromosome is then studied.

When then pattern is interrupted, a gene responsible for a disease will not be transferred from parents to offspring and thus, suppression of the disease. Various types of cancer, mental illnesses, and heart diseases have been studied using genetic studies (Khoury et al., 2000). Effectiveness of genetic information in suppression of a disease, however, depends on multiplicity of genes causing a disease and/or environmental factors (Strachan & Read, 2010). It is easier to use genetic information in controlling singly occurring mutated genes than those that occur in multiples.

Ethics and Genetic EngineeringHGP aims at addressing all ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) arising from availability and usage of genetic information. A significant portion of HGP’s budget is, therefore, devoted towards addressing ELSIs. Questions do arise about true motives of HGP and potential impacts of the project on an individual life. Berry (2007) argues that despite huge funding of genetic studies institutions, heavy load of genetic education has been left to study individuals, who have to understand implications of human genome projects.

Haugen (2009), in addition, claims that sponsors of the genetic projects allocate funds without meaningful discussion with project owners. There are, thus, no clear responses to issues brought up by population-based researches. Moreover, there is no neutrality in formulation of ethical guidelines protecting both individual and group rights. The technology has been misused through discrimination of individuals with genetic defects. Discrimination is a consequence of disclosure of genetic information of an individual.

Discrimination, especially in workplaces, has led to moral degradations of societal principles. As a solution, focus should be on how genetic studies changes or will change life of an individual or a group of individuals. ConclusionIn sum, the Human Genome Project has two major advantages. The project provides hints to study and understanding of human biology. Also, the project expands knowledge about effects of variation of human DNA. By studying human DNA, HGP provides easy ways of diagnosing, treating, and preventing variety of diseases.

Treatment and control of a disease, however, depends on factors that influence occurrence and inheritance of gene(s) causing the disease. Both present and future application of the technology depends on how deep ethical issues surrounding HGP are addressed. Moreover, sampling techniques of study individuals also determines validity genetic study findings. Non-representative sample may yield invalid results.References Berry, R. M. (2007). The ethics of genetic engineering: Routledge annuals of bioethics.

Routledge.Haugen, D. M. (2009).Genetic engineering (Opposing viewpoints). Greenhaven.Khoury, Muin et al. (2000).Genetics and public health in the 21st Century: Using genetic information to improve health and prevent disease. Oxford University Press: USA.Palladino, M. A. (2005).Understanding the human genome project. 2nd Edition. Benjamin Cummings.Quackenbush, J., & Sulston, J. (2011). The human genome: book of essential knowledge (curiosity guides). Imagine Publishing. Russ, H., & Rosenthal, N. (2010). The future of genetics: Beyond the human genome project (Genetics & Evolution).

Facts on File: New York.Strachan, T., & Read, A. (2010).Human molecular genetics. 4th Edition. Garland Science.