SCRIPT FOR PPT

Slide 1: Intro
The proverbial phase of endless complications from a single miscalculation is often used as
the “Pandora's Box” metaphor. And it is often wondered if the Human Genome Project has in
fact opened Pandora’s Box

Slide 4: Timeline
It began on October first 1990 and was completed on April 14th 2003

Slide 5: HGP in a nutshell

The HGP determined the sequences of the genetic content of the human genome and made
them accessible for further biological study.

Slide 6: The Science Behind It

The fields of classical, molecular, and human genetics along with methods such as Sanger
sequencing, polymerase chain reaction, and shotgunning method to decode the DNA using
different fragments are the foundation of the science to complete the HGP sooner than it
was expected.

Slide 8: Research Findings & Observations

With the completion of the HGP, much of the focus has fallen on genes, spurring new
discussions of how heredity works and causing scientists to lo­ok at DNA differently.
The genomic information gathered can help in creating methods that can indicate the future
likelihood of some diseases.
With the possibilities opened by the HGP, one day healthcare may be specifically tailored to
our unique genome.

Slide 9: Moral and ethical: intro

The HGP opened a new world of genomes but with that knowledge, several issues were
raised, letting us ponder if it was better when the human genome was unknown to us like the
pandora’s box being closed.

Slide 10: Safety

The safety concerns of the HGP are the possibility of nonspecific and unintended genetic
modifications. Germline gene therapy is therapeutically included gene alteration which raises
questions like: how can we assure safety when the future impact remains unknown?​Misuse
of genetic information through violation of confidentiality and its use for non therapeutic and
enhancement purposes pose a threat as well.

Slide 11: Informed consent

Truly Informed consent for germline therapy is controversial as it affects the future
generation and embryo. The counterargument is that parents already make many decisions
that affect their future children in terms of genomes.

Slide 12: Embryo Research

Researchers argue that genome editing in embryos will never offer a greater benefit than the
existing technologies. Others believe that it can correct diseases influenced by more than one
gene and where both parents are homozygous for a disease causing variant. Due to moral and
religious objections, research that involves creation or destruction of embryos are not funded
by the NIH.

Slide 13: Discrimination

Availability of a person’s genes can cause dicrimination due to the differences. The diversity
project to collect DNA samples from different populations to fight racism was accused of
being racist by exploiting indigenous people for potential commercial gain.

Slide 14: Justice and Equity

HGP changed criminal law vastly as DNA evidence could now be used to exonerate the
wrongfully convicted, setting the foundation of forensics in crime. On the other hand, people
believe that genome editing can create classes of individuals divided by the quality of their
engineered genome and create disparities.

Slide 15: Public Interpretation & Clinical Integration

Genetic databases that summarize DNA variations act to distinguish members of one
population from those of another. Public genetic ancestry projects allow individuals to trace
their origins and ancestors. Clinically, the HGP aids in recognizing health risks that run in a
family based on traits, leading to early diagnosis and effective treatment.

Slide 19: Economic Impact

The project started with a funding of 3 billion USD.

Slide 18: Economic Impact

The total 14.5 billion dollars invested in the HGP since 1988 by the U.S government has
resulted in large scale economic output and gain.

Slide 19: Economic Impact

In 2010 alone, genomics explicitly funded over 51,000 jobs, and indirectly a lot more. The HGP
is the most influential investment in modern science and a foundation for progress in the
biological sciences moving forward.

Slide 24: What Happens When Genomics Meets Politics?

Private industries battled the government to patent the genomes, which raises questions
about who really should have access to them? Estonia has a legal system that has gained trust
among its citizens in terms of government owned genomics by implementing the blockchain to
avoid data leaks.

Slide 25: Political Aspect Cont.

In recent years, governments are contemplating sequencing large portions of their
populations. However, a concern is the potential use of these DNA sequences by governments
to develop biowarfare.

Slide 28: Environmental Impact

The ability to read genome sequences along with new technologies has made way for
genetically engineered crops and animals referred to as GMOs. Different types of GMOs can
be developed for different purposes. They have been seen as a possible solution to world
hunger and food scarcity as well. However, there is controversy about consumption safety.

Slide 29: Environmental Impact

The cleanup of environmental contaminants could also become much easier as plants and
bacteria can be engineered to specifically get rid of a select contaminant. Genomics is also a
key factor in the global energy crisis. Genetic engineering of enzymes could lead to the
development of sustainable biofuels.

CONCLUSION
The Human Genome Project has opened doors to help us advance farther as a civilization, but,
as humans, we too must acknowledge it’s numerous concerns.