The Implications of the Human Genome Project - Essay Example

The only current instrument in effect that discusses both the human genome and international human rights is the Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights (Declaration)” (Tauer, 2001). This declaration looks at the rights of people in the project, the duties of nations to cooperate, and the protection of genetic information revealed by the project itself. People want to protect their privacy on the one hand, but on the other hand the HGP can lead to a new future in which there is more implementation.

As with many bioethics issues, there is a degree of controversy to the human genome projet. On the potentially positive side, the HGP can help doctors and scientists to better predict and avoid genetic disorders. It is the assumption that in the future genetic disorders from cerebral palsy to bipolar disorder will be able to be seen through genetic through genetics research such as the HGP. This involves complex and interwoven factors of psychiatric and physical genetic disorders, genetic susceptibility, research ethics, and other points to consider.

“The growth in knowledge resulting from the mapping of the human genome sequence has enabled life science researchers to better understand the function of genes and discover the genetic basis for health and disease, ultimately resulting in th development of new and highly effective drug therapies and treatments” (Human, 2004). However, there is also a shadowy side that have many worried about the future. It is important when looking at the HGP to link the concept of genetic disorders and genetic susceptibility to research ethics by highlighting the ethical problems that may come up in presenting data to family members and patients regarding their susceptibility to genetically predisposed problems.

It may be suggested that in the future researchers will have to address these issues more concretely. In the future as susceptibility genes are