The Human Genome Project has been introduced to us more than twenty-five years

from now. It was a 13 year, 3 billion-dollar venture whose goals involve identifying the
genes in human DNA and determining the sequences of the chemical bases that make
up human DNA. It was initiated and sponsored by the National Human Genome
Research Institute, the project was introduced aiming at researching more human
genes in order to understand, read genes and find cure for diseases. It guided the
medical field to new direction but at the same time created new challenges and
problems.
Genes are made of a molecule called DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) which contains the
instructions for making every protein in the body. Sequencing the entire human genome
– which essentially means uncovering all of the genetic material in a person: a complete
set of DNA instructions – was no mean feat. In humans, that includes 23 pairs of
chromosomes, containing around 20-25,000 genes, made up of approximately 3 billion
base pairs of DNA. Understanding the genome requires knowing its different parts, how
they interact, and what their functions are.
Although mapping the human genome was a great achievement, scientists are still
trying to make sense of a lot of the information they now have access to. The
information gap is substantial – but thanks to research, we are getting closer to closing
it.
This vast amount of information provided evidence on genetic variations that can lead to
disease or increase the risk of developing disease. Not only has our knowledge of the
human genome’s sequence transformed our understanding of human diseases like
cancer, but also our ability to treat it. We’re moving towards a medicine that is
predictive, preventive and personalized. Knowledge of all the human genes and their
functions created new opportunities for discovering and developing novel drugs,
changing research strategy and how researchers approach drug discovery.
There is no denying that identifying and mapping all of the genes of the human genome
has brought progress to many areas, especially in the medical field. As we have seen,
the international, collaborative research program accomplished a great deal.
We can feel confident that genomics will play a key role in the next decade, helping
scientists make even greater advances – who knows what the next era in genomics
may have in store?
Spider Goat Essay
It has long been known that certain fibers produced naturally are remarkable
mechanical properties in terms of strength, resilience, and flexibility. These protein-
based fibers, exemplified by spider silk, have been the subject of much interest due to
spider silk’s incredible toughness. Because of its strength, resilience and flexibility,
spider silk holds great promise for commercial and consumer applications. While the
superior properties of spider silks are well known, there was no known way to produce
spider silk in commercial quantities. Since spiders are cannibalistic, they cannot be
raised in concentrated colonies to produce silk because they tend to kill each other.
To solve this problem, Professor Randy Lewis and other researchers from the
University of Wyoming, US decided to put the spider silk’s gene into goats in a way that
the protein would come from the goat’s milk. These spider-goats are raised in a farm
located in Utah. A creature that is part goat and part spider may sound like a topic for a
good science fiction, but other than the goat’s ability to produce the spider silk protein,
they do not seem to have any other differences in health, appearance, or behavior
compared to goats without the gene.
The spider silk that is produced from the spider-goats are called “Genetically
Engineered Spider Silk.” This term is used instead of synthetic spider silk is because
these materials are not synthetic; they are made by genetically engineered goats and
the fiber is composed entirely of protein produced naturally by the goat. They are
synthetic spider silks only in the sense that they are not being produced by a spider, but
by a much more efficient organism.
As with any great revolutions, these are those who stand to make a killing after the
doors are kicked open. The production of spider silk in commercial quantities holds the
potential of a life-saving ballistic resistant material, which is lighter, thinner, more
flexible, and tougher than steel. Other applications of spider silk include use as
structural material and for any application in which light weight and high strength are
required.