Human Genome Project: The Science and the History

Part 1:  The Science of the Human Genome Project

Section A:
What is the Human Genome Project (HGP)?

To conduct governmental affairs intelligently one must know the issues.  The HGP was a wide sweeping endeavor that took many years of intense scientific research.  While I don’t expect you to be an expert in the science of the HGP I do expect you to be able to speak intelligently about it.  Follow the link below and answer the following data points.

http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/project/about.shtml

Data Point 1:  Identify and list the  6 key goals for the HGP project

Data Point 2:  (Essay ) In your own words sum up the history of the HGP from its inception to present day

Chromosomes, DNA, and Genes

Data Point 1:  What is a genome?

Data Point 2:  How does DNA work and why can we gain useful information from looking at non human DNA sequences and functions?

Data Point 3: Watch the following video then answer the questions:

http://www.dnalc.org/resources/3d/23-dna-unzip.html

What are the bases labeled as?

Which bases pair up together in DNA?

Gene Therapy

One of the most intriguing medical applications of the HGP is the practice of Gene Therapy.  Visit the following link and then answer the data points on Gene Therapy.

http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/medicine/genetherapy.shtml

Data Point 1:  What is gene therapy?

Data Point 2:  Identify and list the 4 most common approaches to using gene therapy.

Data Point 3:  How does gene therapy work, give 2 examples.

Data Point 4:  Explain what the 47th chromosome idea is.


Section B:
What do we know about genes, mutation, and evolution?

Data point 1:  View the video on mutation and human genetics then answer the questions regarding mutation.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4984778_what-microbiology.html?cp=1&wa_vrid=cd5a966f-468e-40d8-be95-1f319d3be006&wa_vlsrc=continuous&pid=1

Data Point 2:  Genetic mutations can often lead to genetic disorders or diseases that people are born with.  View the slideshow on genetic disorders and find information on two of these disorders and explain them and their causes.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/genetic-disorders/DS00549

Data Point 3:  Genetic mutations can be beneficial but they also can be harmful, debilitating and sometimes fatal.  Using your knowledge of inheritance, genetics, and life explain why you think these disorders still occur in populations.


Cloning

One of the most obvious and controversial topics that come up with the HGP is idea of cloning, specifically human cloning.  Read the information on the science of cloning then respond the the discussion question.  Also, within your group discuss the pros and cons to potentially cloning of human beings.  Be sure to think about small scale cloning (cloning organs, organic tissue, limbs) to large scale cloning (cloning whole people).

http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/cloning.shtml

Cloning is very popular in pop culture, specifically science fiction.  Although, the following movies are works of fiction they are very close to what many scientists believe are the possible dangers (or benefits depending on point of view) of cloning human beings.  Familiarize yourself with the following examples from science fiction as you may want to adapt the themes shown here for your presentation.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars
The 6th Day
The Island