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The Human Genome Project: Its Implications for Educators

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The Human Genome Project: Its Implications for Educators THE AMERICAN BIOLOGY TEACHER The Human Genome Project-Its Editor: Randy Moore, Implications for Educators E-mail: [email protected] Managing Editor: Christine Chantry The Human Genome Project (HGP) began in 1990 as an effort Associate Editor: Kris Collum by researchers from around the world to map and sequence the Publisher: Wayne W. Carley human genome-the totality of human DNA-as well as the Editorial Staff: Kay Acevedo, Jo Marshall, genomes of important experimental organisms, like yeast and mice. Cheryl Merrill Ultimately, the consortium expects to obtain a complete sequence ABT Production Office: of the human genome with fewer than one mistake in every 10,000 12030 Sunrise Valley Drive #110, letters. Earlier this year, the participants in the HGP announced Reston, VA 20191-3409, Phone: (703) 264-9696, the completion of a draft sequence showing the spelling of 90 Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/62/9/626/49798/4450999.pdf by guest on 28 September 2021 Fax: (703) 264-7778, E-mail: [email protected], percent of human DNA. Web site: www.nabt.org To mark the occasion, the National Human Genome Research Institute, one of the National Institutes of Health, is releasing a free A a IA educational kit, aimed for high school students and the interested public. The kit includes an introductory video, a brochure, and a Account Executive: Kerrie Brooks, CD-ROM with a detailed timeline covering the history of genetics Network Publications, 10155 York Rd. #205, as well as a glossary and segments that explore the techniques Hunt Valley, MD 21030, Phone: (410) 628-0390 used to sequence DNA, how DNA sequence varies among human E-mail: [email protected] populations, and the ethical, legal, and social implications of genetic research. The genome project has affected the practice of biology since the project's inception because the information it generates has Biology Today: Maura C. Flannery, been disseminated rapidly through free, publicly accessible data- St. John's University, Jamaica, NY 11439 bases. That information has fueled the increasingly rapid rate at Book Reviews: Rita Hoots, which researchers have been discovering the genetic basis of a Woodland 41605 Community College, Gibson wide range of conditions. The complete genome sequence will Rd., Woodland, CA 95776 serve as an important reference and an inspiration to biological Classroom Technology Reviews study for decades. In the near term, it will resolve problems as ProjectorReviews: Bill Belzer, Clarion Univer- basic as the number of genes that human beings contain. It will sity-Venango Campus, Oil City, PA 16301 reveal the components that make up our bodies. But much effort Software Reviews: Richard Duhrkopf, Baylor will be required before scientists clarify what each gene does, University, Waco, TX 76798 how the genes work together, how variations affect function, how AV and CD-Rom Reviews: Rachel Hays, 69 environmental conditions influence function, and how mole- Matai St., Castlecliff, Wanganui, New Zealand cular details translate into perceptible characteristics. In a process that has already begun, insights into how our bodies work at the 1998 1996, 1993 most fundamental level of molecules will transform science and 1992, 1990, 1989 ,, medicine. Distinguished (~EdP V)I In medicine, as the molecular foundations of diseases become Achievement EdPre)) clearer, medical care or lifestyle modifications may be able to pre- Award Winner \ vent illnesses in many cases; and in other cases, accurate, tailored treatments may improve prognoses. Diagnoses for many condi- tions will be much more thorough and specific than now possible. Change of Address: Please promptly notify New will us of a change of address. Simply provide your drugs target molecules logically and be matched to a old mailing label along with your new mailing patient's likely response. address and send to: TheAmerican Biology In biology, having genome sequences of humans and other Teacher,12030 Sunrise Valley Drive #110, organisms and the ability to analyze genes and their products at Reston, VA 20191-3409. a genome-wide scale will help researchers identify all the machin- ery and all the biochemical interactions To Submit Articles: All articles and in cells, will help reveal requests for editorial guidelines should be sent how genes program the development of single cells into complex to ABT Managing Editor, NABT, 12030 Sunrise life forms, and will shed light on the evolution of species. No Valley Drive #110, Reston, VA 20191-3409. doubt, the data will stimulate many other areas of research as well, including those that we cannot yet foresee. It is important for students and the public to under- ety; for example, society must decide whether and how stand the HGP, its implications, and its limitations for to regulate access to genetic information and how vari- several reasons. First, students should know about the ous groups-like employers and insurers-may use research boom in molecular biology and medicine so that information. All of us will have a responsibility they can have the chance to become researchers them- to ensure that the advances from genome science are hurt selves. Second, genetic information and technology used to benefit as many people as possible and to no one. will increasingly touch all of our lives, especially as a part of health care; a familiarity with the basic science Karin Jegalian, Ph.D. will help all people weigh the choices and information National Human Genome ResearchInstitute they will confront. Finally, the spreading of genetic National Institutes of Health knowledge and technology has implications for soci- Bethesda,MD 20892 TheHumanZ.Geno .6 Pojct ExlploringourMolecular Selves Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/62/9/626/49798/4450999.pdf by guest on 28 September 2021 llifree, ;l~~o ludes: Aneducational kiton genetics for the nation's schools f e moleculesincells, comprehensive timelineon history ofgenetics, animation showing "how to fclssrooam acdiviies, segment onethical and sodetal issues, talking glossary ofgenetics. e ofvOur Lives uses conversations withHuman Genome Project leaders totrace the development and ;e t hemesi reveals about life. )ih~ HumanGenome Project andexplains itspotential impact. Includes visual explanations ofbasic genetic -lineorders only.) NationalHuman Genome Research Institute "lI NABT Affiliate Members The National Association of Biology Teachers thanks its affiliate organizations for their support & for their efforts to furtherbiology & life science education. BiologyAssociation of Teachersof St. Louis LouisianaAssociation of BiologyEducators Biology TeachersAssociation of New Jersey MarylandAssociation of BiologyTeachers CaliforniaBiology Education Association MassachusettsAssociation of Biology Teachers ClevelandRegional Association of Biologists MichiganAssociation of BiologyTeachers ColoradoBiology Teachers Association MississippiAssociation of Biology Educators EmpireState Association of Two-YearCollege Biologists New YorkBiology Teachers Association IllinoisAssociation of Biology Teachers South CarolinaAssociation of BiologyTeachers IllinoisAssociation of CommunityCollege Biologists TexasAssociation of Biology Teachers IndianaAssociation of BiologyTeachers VirginiaAssociation of BiologyTeachers KansasAssociation of BiologyTeachers WesternPennsylvania Biology Teachers Association GUESTEDITORIAL 627 .
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