Original story

Queensland Medical Review - InterWeb 22.4.2005

U.S. Institute of Genomic Research releases DNA map -

NADA leads wave of protest

The task of deciphering and charting the entire DNA or genome of humans is complete. The U.S.-based Institute of Genomic Research (TIGR), a non-profit research establishment in Rockville, MD, reported on Monday that the sequencing of the more than 3 billion letters of human DNA had been successfully carried out. The human genome contains all the instructions - upwards of 60,000 genes - required to design and run the human organism.

The genome charting process began some nine years ago, when biochemist Dr. J. Craig Venter developed a sequencing method . This greatly speeded up the laborious process of sequencing the human genome and building a database to integrate medical and other data with the basic Dna sequence. At the same time, a consortium of research establishments was put together for the task, under the umbrella of TIGR.

TIGR has also announced work on human polymorphisms, the biochemists’ term for commonly found DNA variants at certain sites on the genome - the “vive la difference” variations that make each individual unique. The object of the exercise will be to systematically search out these variations. In more simplistic terms, the hunt is on to discover the nature of the gene that makes for, say, an optimist rather than a pessimist outlook on life, or the one that determines whether we are left- or right-handed. Some of this work had of course been touched on before, but it was rather random and dislocated.

The mapping of DNA and the prizing open of its many secrets has met with increasing opposition from the outset. Alongside the customary knee-jerk reactions of futurology doomwatchers, there have been worries amongs labour organizations and data privacy authorities over the genome sequencing exercise, and particularly in the wake of the arrival of the Denator gene-reader in the workplace. They fear among other things that employers or insurance companies will begin to to demand from staff and prospective policy-holders their complete personal genome breakdown, and that they would discriminate against those whose Denator results indicated a tendency towards certain diseases, or states such as depression or alcoholism. The opposition has been fuelled by reports of staggering profits - mainly from intellectual property rights - being made by the companies involved in the sequencing of the human genome. On another front, the insurers themselves are concerned that streetwise consumers might make use of information on their own DNA programming - for instance a genetic flaw - and time the taking out of life insurance accordingly, thus “beating the system” and minimizing their insurance premiums.

The anti-mapping barricades have also been manned by representatives of NADA (the Natural Development Association), which vigorously opposes any tampering with the natural development of plants, animals, or humankind. NADA’s ranks have also been swelled in recent years by a considerable body of eminent scientists who fear that personal genome charts will spark of a new brand of racism. Their alarm is increased by the knowledge that the military establishments in several countries have shown great interest in the field of genetic mapping.

Numerous African countries, along with France, Sweden, and Finland tabled a motion for the UN General Assembly last September, which would, if ratified, demand the deleting of all gene mapping results from databases worldwide. Political analysts are doubtful, however, that the motion will find enough support to pass into international law.

Toteuma-arvio 2026

Toteuma lyhyesti

  • Ilmiön toteuma: 5/5
  • Toteuma viiden vuoden tarkkuudella: kyllä; arviointi-ikkuna on 2000–2010
  • Toteuma väljemmällä aikahorisontilla: kyllä, erittäin vahvasti
  • Ilmiön ydin: ihmisen genomi kartoitetaan laajaksi tietovarannoksi, joka avaa lääketieteellisiä mahdollisuuksia ja synnyttää vastustusta sekä eettistä keskustelua.

Ihmisen genomiprojektin sekvenssi valmistui vuonna 2003, ja polymorfismien, yksilöllisen lääketieteen, omistajuuden ja yksityisyyden kysymykset seurasivat välittömästi. Tapahtuma osui lähes suoraan tarinan vuosilukuun.

Johtopäätös: ennuste toteutui erittäin vahvasti sekä asiasisällöltään että ajoitukseltaan.