Genome: Will it deliver?

Researchers in the US, the UK, and several other countries, have published the first draft of all the genetic material that makes us human. The Human Genome Project could eventually help scientists prevent a host of genetic diseases.

But UK geneticist Professor Steve Jones says that while it could help tremendously in the early diagnosis of diseases like inherited cancer, there is a big step between diagnosis and treatment.

Professor Jones says it is worth remembering that the anatomy of the heart was worked out in 1543, but the first heart transplant was not performed until 1967.

Are scientists too quick to promise us miracle cures? Can they deliver what they say or is Monday's announcement all hype? Do you think it will be decades before we start reaping the benefits of this latest breakthrough?

Click here to see our multimedia programme: Decoding Humanity: Who will really benefit?

I think that the human genome map is a great advance in medical science, but it is not without its risks. What really worries me, however, is the other uses this technology could be put to. If people could choose the characteristics of their children, for instance, the world could end up with "designer people" perfect in every way and a lower class of citizens who are outcasts because of their genes. This would be a great step backwards for a society trying to achieve equality.
Katherine Hoy, England

Should we not first concentrate on improving the quality of life of as many of the world's people as possible rather than chase the rainbow of eternal life for the few?

Matt Prescott, UK

If this genome research eventually enables everyone in the developed world to live for a couple of extra decades, how are decent pensions going to be paid, how will people get promoted at work, and how will this already crowded planet support the needs of all these people who insist on hanging around consuming the equivalent of dozens of people from the Third World? Should we not first concentrate on improving the quality of life of as many of the world's people as possible rather than chase the rainbow of eternal life for the few?
Matt Prescott, UK

Efforts spent on the Human Genome Project only shows that man is decided to unravel the mystery underlying life. With the mapping of the human genome, this can give us hope that one day...inborn errors of metabolism will be minimized if not prevented. But as they say don't expect too much yet. We only have the information but there is no concrete process on how to utilize such codes. Eventually man will soon maximize its use. Let's cross our fingers that this discovery will help more people in curing and preventing diseases. Think of the generations to come.
Mayette, Philippines

I would like to bet that whilst men may be a cinch,1000-1 says they won't figure out women.
Ian Hunter, England

God only knows what it would do if technology ever allowed our brains to be read by others

Paul Tyce, UK

Look at the history of man. Whenever a great discovery is made, it is always accompanied by government controlling it to its own ends. For example, nuclear fusion, capitalism and, now, control of the Internet. God only knows what it would do if technology ever allowed our brains to be read by others. It may not be 1984 but George Orwell, you were so, so right.
Paul Tyce, UK

Millions of people die every year from preventable or curable diseases because the rich have no interest in helping them. This research already looks set to deliver most of its benefits to the overprivileged, but perhaps in future we can engineer some genuine compassion into our makeup.
Andrew, UK

All of the geneticists I know are definitely not out to make freakish monsters or perfect babies

Margaret, USA

I am a genetics graduate student, and I think that any good geneticist will tell anyone who questions the wisdom of the Human Genome Project that there is a long road between knowledge of genetic code, knowledge about the function of all this code, and techniques for curing genetic disorders. Certainly, the ethics of these discoveries should be pondered, but I do not believe that "designer babies" or clones or even any medical cures for disorders are anywhere in the near future. All of the geneticists I know are definitely not out to make freakish monsters or perfect babies. I think that people need to realise that most of us are honestly trying to figure out what is the ethical thing to do. Stop trying to make us out to be Doctors Frankensteins!
Margaret, USA

Once again our generation has managed to create an awful lot of hype over something that although an important breakthrough in science and medicine, is still in its very early stages and probably won't be of much benefit to the general public for some time. Most of us probably won't see these cures to genetic illnesses in our lifetime.
R Ganly, Ireland

Does this mean that population growth will increase and perhaps in 50 years time the world will be run by OAPs?

Louis Kabbani, UK

The mapping of our genes is a small step. The major step will be benefiting from it without war and greed. We need to apply certain caution and apprehension when dealing with the manipulation of the human makeup. Moreover, there's the issue of longevity. Does this mean that population growth will increase and perhaps in 50 years time the world will be run by OAPs?
Louis Kabbani, UK

Universities and other charities are always quick to promise benefits as they desperately need the funding that such publicity brings. The reality is that any new drugs arising from these discoveries are a good fifteen to twenty years off at the moment. We may not see the benefits, but our children might. A cure or treatment for cancer might be a fitting apology to future generations, considering the state of the environment that we'll be leaving them.
Jamie Parkinson, London

As a journalist in a developing country, I hope the benefits of the Genome research are shared and not used as a means of further enslavement of the poor. Like the Internet, the benefits of this research should be available to all. A major challenge for serious journalists is how to cut through the hype and try to marry their communication skills to that of the scientists so that the public may get accurate and not necessarily sensational information.
Owen James, Jamaica

Let's not get too excited just yet about the contents of this new "book".

Dave, Canada

Let's not get too excited just yet about the contents of this new "book". They have discovered the words. It will be a long time before these are understood as sentences, paragraphs and chapters...
Dave, Canada

Let us not be hasty in promoting so much hope and anticipation among people about what the genome project can deliver because so far the project is useful to identify the gene that is pertinent to a particular genetic disease. To treat that disease is a different proposition in the sense that that particular gene remedial drug has to be invented.
Devika, Malaysia

'Hooray' for the science community!

Dave Adams, USA

Genome will deliver! It is an exciting time for the entire world. And, the American Administration in Washington was quick to see its potential and to become pioneers in this 'gold rush' of opportunity that will create millions of new jobs and wealth. It is a fantastic opportunity with great dividends. Ultimately, Cancer, Heart Disease, Diabetes, and other killers will be under control. This can be a blessing for every human being if it is handled properly. And, 'hooray' for the science community!
Dave Adams, USA

I cannot think of the progression made on the field of genetics as a bad thing simply because it is would not be'nature's way'. The welfare state is all but natural and we all consider that as a good thing. I expect a lot of good from the new discoveries, but there is one fear: won't insight in the human code widen the gap between rich and poor? If skills and traits can be simply bought, won't the poorer people in the world lose chances? It is a strange world indeed where beauty and intelligence are only for the rich, and I can't help but fear that is the world we are heading towards.
Vincent Tijms, Netherlands

Never before in our history of science have we met such a great discovery with such fear. There could be endless cures for many genetic defects and illnesses. Are we now at a point where we believe that we no longer can trust our medical community to use this for the benefit of humankind?
Aj Bains, UK

It's time we stopped worshipping nature and all its flaws and take responsibility for ourselves

Mike Camus, UK

Nature doesn't go in for creating brilliant creatures. It has a habit of creating good-enough creatures. Human brains could be bigger, our life expectancy is short and we are very prone to ill health. It's time we stopped worshipping nature and all its flaws and take responsibility for ourselves.
Mike Camus, UK

As a parent of a child suffering from muscular dystrophy, I have received the news with hope and trepidation. Hope that future may bring an end to this disability and disease. Trepidation that human greed and lack of ethical direction may prevent many sufferers from benefiting from this momentous discovery in human history
Alnoor Ratansi, Tanzania

It sounds as though some very tall claims are being made on behalf of discovering the size, shape and dimensions of a particular double helix that occurs in nature. I do not buy any of this but maybe my grandchildren will see some benefits.
Nahom, India

This will be like the space programme. First the hype, then ten years of comedians making jokes about non-stick frying pans, and then the actual benefits, so widespread that everyone will forget where they started.
Jon Livesey, USA

This is a great medical advance so long as it is kept out of the greedy hands of multinational biotech companies who are only out to make a profit. So long as it is kept as a global resource available to all, then it is truly a breakthrough. One hopes that the petty nationalism of the United States towards countries it doesn't like (Cuba, for example) will not get in the way of the widespread dissemination of this data.
Dave, UK

Each Solution inevitably brings with it another problem down the line, so we mustn't grow complacent

Derek O'Brien, Northern Ireland

I'm no Luddite, but I can't help but look back at all the inventions and discoveries that were claimed to be "the Solutions" to our various ills: asbestos was the Solution to burning buildings, nuclear power the Solution to our energy requirements, DDT the Solution to pest problems, thalidomide the Solution to anxiety and depression.
I know scientists might feel the need to hype discoveries in order to keep interest and funding going, but one must temper enthusiasm with realism. Each Solution inevitably brings with it another problem down the line, so we mustn't grow complacent.
Derek O'Brien, Northern Ireland

This idea of custom made medicine sounds good to me. I'm all for this
Ivan Wicker, UK

Proceed slowly, please. It took engineers about 50 years to develop the automobile, (a relatively simple mechanical device compared to the human body) that was safe and reliable. They made many mistakes. What sort of surprises are we in for when scientists start serious experimentation with human genetic information?
Doug W, Canada

Given that 85% of the code has been evaluated, and that humans are supposed to share 95% of their genetic material with chimpanzees, how do we know which part of the genome, so far elucidated, relates to humans and which to monkeys? Does this mean that, instead of a cure for asthma, you could end up curing 'Red Bottom' syndrome (a worthwhile achievement in itself)!
Johnny B, UK

As an asthma sufferer I believe that this project will bring about the cure for aliments that have been around for years

Scott-Lee Nichol, UK

As of this morning the world of medical science began its change. When the genome project is finished then can the real work can begin, SAVING PEOPLE'S LIVES. As an asthma sufferer I believe that this project will bring about the cure for aliments that have been around for years. Once this is started then who knows what the future will bring (as long as this project is accessible to all)
Scott-Lee Nichol, UK

I have no doubt that this would benefit mankind by wiping out diseases and extending life expectancy to 95, however there are some seriously dangerous consequences about the new breakthrough! The government must ensure that this discovery cannot fall into the wrong hands!
The idea that parents would be able to decide upon the child's sex, image and personality is not only absurd but very frightening! But then there was a time when the idea of having an abortion was considered frightening and absurd! This is bound to happen sooner or later. If Mankind could control the evolution process, it would be a much bigger threat to humanity then a nuclear holocaust or global warming!
Richard Cork, USA (from UK)

For all we know, this IS the next stage in human evolution

Antony, UK

Think of the wonderful things we may be able to do. Nervous systems that can grow back - restoring mobility to people with spinal injuries. Limbs may re-grow if lost, and we can put an end to hereditary diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis. For all we know, this IS the next stage in human evolution.
To all the people who mutter about meddling with nature, fine. Let's close down all the hospitals then, because they're meddling with nature. Let's close down all the shops, businesses, industries, whatever. Let's have no gas, electricity, filtrated water supply. All this is meddling with nature. Man has "meddled with nature" since he learned to make fire. Get over it, please!
Antony, UK

We will see the benefits sometime between 5 and 20 years from now. Research takes time.
Richard T. Ketchum, USA

I agree with the professor's comments. There has been a huge surge of interest amongst the general public in terms of the genome project and what it can deliver but most of it is hype and a smoke-and-mirrors act.
The human genome will now have to undergo investigation to determine what gene controls which disease and systematically mapped. This in itself is an excruciatingly slow process which when and if completed will point the direction towards curative genetic drugs. These drugs will then have to run the gauntlet of testing and the lengthy approval process. In other words, don't hold your breath.
Srinivas Rangaraj, Canada

I hope the scientists are never allowed to patent or copyright the genes they didn't invent in the first place

John B, UK

I hope the scientists are never allowed to patent or copyright the genes they didn't invent in the first place. As to what it will deliver, I suspect the usual array of plague (GM crops), deformities (Thalidomide), natural devastation, and other delightful "rewards" of meddling with nature.
John B, UK

Let us hope this is used for the benefit of humanity. Just think, no more haemophilia or other genetic and inheritable defects. These could become extinct just like smallpox and every child born would at least start out without a physical disadvantage in life. Also, we could clone tissue thus making transplants and skin grafts routine without the need to rob corpses for organs. I salute the scientists who have completed this task despite the moralising Luddites.
Steve Foley, England

Red tape rather than research delays too many useful drugs

Judith, England

I'm sure time will be needed to research new treatments but what worries me is how much of it will be wasted satisfying various government departments. Red tape rather than research delays too many useful drugs.
Judith, England

A lot of things need to happen before the genome can "deliver". Firstly, some tough legislation needs to be introduced to protect people from unscrupulous insurance companies and employers, who will use the genetic tests to cherry-pick customers and workers. It doesn't take much foresight to see that such knowledge is open to serious misuse unless the Governments act responsibly and act soon. Already, employers are allowed to analyse their workers' body chemistry for signs of illegal drug use. How long before they are analysing DNA too?
Phil Saum, UK

This is just a step closer by man in direct control of evolution. The scenario seen in many science fiction films where humanoids roam the earth cannot be too far behind unless, like nuclear armaments, controls on use and development can be effectively implemented.
M. Rifaat, UK

There are great risks of both commercial and ethical misuse of the genetic information once it has been completed

Mikko Toivonen, Finland

This genome business is a very crude example of false hopes. It is going to take a long, long time before any common benefit can be derived from the "draft". This is a good thing because there are great risks of both commercial and ethical misuse of the genetic information once it has been completed.
Mikko Toivonen, Finland

If they patent or copyright their research, then we would need to ask their permission to have children, or else we would be "making illegal copies" of our genes.
Richard L, UK

This important development has been presented as a fundamental step in our understanding, not a "miracle cure", by scientists working in the field. Perhaps, the first impact will be the realisation that the usefulness of commercial health insurance is severely limited. For us to progress as a society, it will be increasingly important for us to face the requirement to look after the well being of each other.
Andrew Witham, UK

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