Nowadays, advances in genetics bring us the question of similarity in human race. From the help of the Human Genome Project diseases can be identified, humans’ past generations can be learned and mostly crimes can be solved. While the advances are helping, it also makes us question which is consist of similarity in human race. The Human Genome Project which ‘‘is an international 13-year effort formally begun in October 1990. The project was planned to last 15 years, but rapid technological advances accelerated the completion to 2003. Project goals were to determine the complete sequence of the 3 billion DNA subunits (bases), identify all human genes, and make them accessible for further biological study. As part of the HGP, parallel sequencing was done for selected model organisms such as the bacterium E. coli to help develop the technology and interpret human gene function. The Department of Energy's Human Genome Program and the National Institutes of Health's National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) together sponsored the U.S. Human Genome Project.’’ makes us t understand the difference among people. According to the Project, it indicates that ‘‘there are a very small number of DNA bases which make one person different from any other person in the world. This creates a feeling of unity, of oneness with all people, but even if human genome shows that the small differences which do exist are important ones which give each person his or her uniqueness’’(skin color etc.) , it also creates problems like discrimination and misunderstanding. Are we really same with our uniqueness? In my opinion, small differences create individuality, but do not mean that we are different. We all come from the same family and we all breathe same air with similar organs. Skin color or anything that count as more superior than other is a fallacy. In the past some scientists believe that some human races are more superior than the other ones, but is it a true statement, really? In addition, the Project has brought a lot of issues into societies.
‘‘Genetic discrimination, The Abortion controversy, Genetic determinism, human freedom, and the gene myth, Genes, sin, crime, and racial discrimination, The gay gene, Stem cells, Cloning, Gene patenting, Somatic therapy versus germ line enhancement. ’’After all those issues being brought up, ‘‘church leaders respond responsibly to new developments in HGP, one thing can be confidently forecast: This affirmation of dignity will become decisive for thinking through the ethical implications of genetic engineering. Promoting dignity is a way of drawing an ethical implication from what the theologian can safely say, namely, that God loves each human being regardless of his or her genetic makeup and, therefore, people should love one another according to this model.’’ This kind of response should be considered as a fair answer. I think that we are all same even if there are different genes that make us an individual. People may overcome these issues with an objective eye so that people should not have to feel abnormal. Overall, genetics prove that there are small differences among us that define ourselves, and the genes are just used as a tool for human’s health and future that should be protected.
If you want to get some more information about the Project. Here are the websites:
Additional Citation
Biology book IB Pearson?
