1. The Future of Genetic Research

2. Human Genome Project Completed in 2003
Sequenced entire genome of a human being (6.4 billion nucleotides)
Made several interesting
discoveries:
1) only about 1.5 % of our DNA make up our genes
2) we have ~19,000 genes (less than expected)
3) much of our DNA (~50%) consists of repeating short
sequences
4) All humans have DNA that is 99.9% the same

3. Future of Genetics
The human genome project has been described as “a parts list for the human body”
Still have to figure out how these parts are put together and how they work with each other
Includes several fields of study

4. Bioinformatics
Creating databases of DNA information in order to analyze it to find patterns and irregularities

5. Genomics
The study of genomes and the relationship between genotypes and phenotypes
All of our cells have the same DNA but they look very different and have different functions

6. Genomics
This shows that DNA is not the only factor determining phenotype
Certain genes are expressed in some cells but not in others. WHY??
How are genes “turned on” or “turned off”?

7. Proteomics
Genes make proteins but proteins may be altered even though DNA has not changed
Proteomics is the wide scale study of proteins, their three dimensional structure and their functions
Even though we only have 19,000 genes, we have over 100,000 different types of proteins in our body

8. Ethical Considerations
Who owns our genes?
Who has the right to see them?
Will we be aware of genetic changes made to our food and other living things?
Can the knowledge of genetics be used in unethical ways?