The Human Genome Project and Patenting DNA Essay

In “Patenting Life,” Michael Crichton argues that the government is mishandling the patenting office with the awarding of patents for human genes. Gene patenting is blocking the advancement of modern medicine and could be costing many patients their lives. The hold on research results in the discovery of fewer cures for modern diseases.

Over the last 10 years scientists have been involved in the progression and completion of the Human Genome Project. "Scientists working on this project have developed detailed maps that identify the

There has been a big controversy pertaining to gene patenting ever since the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) began issuing them. While some, like the author of the article in the New York Times, “Patenting Life” Michael Crichton, see gene patents as giving up ownership of one's own ties to “all life on earth” (441) and recognize the disadvantages and restrictions put forth on medical advancement and innovation; others, like economist John E. Calfee author of “Decoding the Use of Gene Patents” on the American Enterprise Institute’s online magazine, see the benefits of high prices on test and research studies. Crichton sees gene patents as unnatural, costly and restrictive; Calfee, on the other hand sees it as “a power

Our incessant curiosity for knowledge and answers has prompted the intricate research institutions we know today. Among the volumes of research, scientists have searched for innovations to better understand the human body and edge closer to more individualized medicine. In 1990, breakthroughs in genetic technology allowed for researchers to begin a quest to map and understand all the genes of human beings. A mere 13 years later and just shy of $3 billion invested the Human Genome Project successfully mapped the billions of base pairs involved. With the ability to diagnose specific abnormalities, researchers and medical professionals have saved hundreds of ill children to which their survival was indefinite. However, with scientists continuing

Before discussion of the ethical, legal and social issues can be successful, some background information is needed. For example, why is the goal of mapping the human genome important? Who is going to benefit or at least be affected by this new

Gene Patents seem to have a big impact on many people just like everything else going on around us. Many agree and others disagree on the fact that gene patents are owned. Michael Crichton explains how gene patents have an impact on people medically contrasting but also comparing to John E. Calfee who explains his view on gene patents economically. The Doctor and the Economist approach the topic on gene patents by acknowledging the subject, rights, and the costs.

In February 2001, Venter et al., reported on the “penultimate milestone” – the feat of mapping 95% of the euchromatic portion of the human genome (Venter et al., 2001). Multiple discoveries were made in the process of mapping the human genome: the number of genes (fewer than imagined); the percent difference between individuals (less than 0.1%); and new techniques (Polymerase Chain Reaction) (Venter et al., 2001; National Human Genome Research Institute, 2012).

In June 2000, the publicly funded Human Genome Project (HGP) and the private firm Celera Genomics Inc. announced that they had completed sequencing the human genome. This unprecedented accomplishment is expected to enable doctors to diagnose, treat and even prevent numerous genetic diseases. As these two entities worked on sequencing the human genome, there was also a separate and less publicized race to patent as many human genes as possible.

Because of the ethical controversies that surround gene patenting, the technology is not widely seen as beneficial to society. However, gene patents are critical to the biotech industry. “Such claims protect therapeutic proteins, like human insulin; Mabs, like Herceptin®; transgenic plants, like insect-resistant corn; and diagnostic probes for genetic diseases, which are the foundation for personalized medicine” (Karny, G. (2007, April 01). In Defense of Gene Patenting | GEN Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News - Biotech from Bench to Business. Retrieved April 02, 2017, from http://www.genengnews.com/gen-articles/in-defense-of-gene-patenting/2052). A ban on gene patenting would have a large and negative impact on gene-based medical therapies

It began slowly though observations made decades apart, but then grew faster as time waned one, and eventually the ability to know every DNA base in every gene in the human body arrived in the realm of possibility. When the Human Genome Project was initiated in 1990, they estimated it would take them 15 years to complete the project, and with the technology at the time, many thought the goal would not be met. The purpose of the project was to develop a resource, a “hypothetical genome“ that was “meant to represent humanity” (Kolata, “Human Genome: Then and Now”). This was not restricted to just humans; the genome of other organisms, such as the fruit fly and mice, were discovered for eventual comparison. With this type of investigation came possible ethical repercussions, and so the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) program was established to help deal with possible consequences regarding the impact the project would have on everyday individuals and families (“What Was the Human ... Important?“). Though there were many skeptics and possible issues involved in taking on such a a large project, the Human Genome Project ended up exceeding

"Research and technology efforts aimed at mapping and sequencing large portions or entire genomes are called Genome projects"(Congress, 202). Genome projects are not the effort of a single organization, but instead are groups of organizations working in government and private industry throughout the world. The controversies surrounding the Human Genome Project can be better explained by explaining the structural and moral aspects of the project. Begun in 1990, the US Human Genome Project is a 15-year effort coordinated by the US Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health. It's purposes are to identify all the estimated 80,000 genes in human DNA, determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical bases that make up human DNA, store this information in databases, and develop tools for data analysis.

The Human Genome Project (HGP), an international scientific research project, has educated the public tremendously on various topics concerning DNA and genetics. This study has been beneficial to communities alike. As stated, the HGP sought to identify all the genes in human DNA, determine the sequences of the three billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA, store this information in databases, improve tools for data analysis, transfer related technologies to the private sector, and address the ethical, legal, and social issues that may arise from the project. In favor of achieving these goals, scientists studied the genetic makeup of several nonhuman organisms (Human Genome Management Information System, 2011).

The private sector is also contributing to the human sequencing project. One such company is Celera Genomics. The President of Celera Genomics, J. Craig Venter, is promising to give away the human genome sequence once the company has completed the sequence. Although he is just beginning to set up a high throughput lab, he believes he can generate the human genome sequence in 18 months. Many people are skeptical about how he can develop the human genome and provide it to the public without any costly strings attached. Celera plans to patent many human genes and a large set of single nucleotide polymorphism's (3). If Celera Genomics is the first to sequence the human genome, there may be a price to pay for the sequences that revolutionize the biological community.

If we wish to learn about diseases, we must put our focus on cellular genomes. Our curiosity as humans is the greatest domination to new knowledge, growth, improvement, and life progression today.

There are many human medical problems that can be controlled by early detection. This program would be incredibly beneficial to the fight of those diseases. Also as a medical benefit is the possibility of gene therapy drugs that could prevent or cure disease. They also could reach as far as to eradicate many of the killers that have plagued mankind for generations. These are some of the reasons that many large companies are attempting to align themselves with other companies that have the technology to capitalize from these new findings. Projections of DNA-based products and technologies in the biotech industry are exceeding $45 billion by the year 2009.