Now that the buzz about the
breakthrough in human genome research is leaving its mainstream
"hype" phase, core questions can now begin to be answered. Last
week, Islam Online conducted a live dialogue with a genetics
research specialist who dealt with a recurring barrage of questions
about the next step in genome research.
Dr. Shamsul Hoque, a staff
fellow at the National Institute of Health, had this to say about
the direction that science will take in genome research, "This
breakthrough will be of immense benefit to the field of medicine and
will help to understand and eventually treat 4,000 genetic
diseases."
Dr. Hoque also believes that
this advance in genetics research will bring about a refreshing
advance in technology. He said, "The genome project will force the
development of new technology and improve current technology to
facilitate biomedical-biological research and biotechnology."
Scientists hope that with
continued research and technological advances, diseases such as
cancer and cystic fibrosis will soon have the type of resources
available not only for treatment but perhaps even prevention.
Decoding the human genome will help specialists and researchers to
identify diseased genes or any genetic abnormality that causes
genetic diseases. This could help to develop a diagnostic tool to
diagnose disease at an early stage and may help us to design a
specific drug or genetic medicine (gene therapy) to combat the
harmful effects of these diseases.
Another issue that has weighed
heavily on the conscience of people in the early stages of human
genome research is whether or not corporations and insurance
companies will use the genetic information of their employees or
potential clients as a gauge of who, or who not, to do business
with.
With the breakthrough in human
genome research, the genetic make-up of all people could very
realistically be available to companies in the near future. What
concerns experts in bioethics, as well as the common people, is that
companies will use that information as a criterion of whether or not
to hire a person for a job.
Insurance companies could also
benefit from this information. By checking the medical history of a
potential or current client, an insurance company could raise the
rate on that person's premium.
Because of this concern,
medical experts in bioethics have pressed for legislation to be
passed that would protect people's privacy. They depicted genetic
discrimination as a very serious social issue in this young 21st
century. Craig Venter, the head of Celera Genomics, said on NBC's
Meet The Press, "I think that the biggest issue we are facing is the
potential for genetic discrimination." He added, "If we are not
given protection by Congress from people using this information
against all of us, the real breakthroughs that are happening in our
scientific labs right now will not benefit the American public in
terms of new treatment for cancers and other diseases."
Another avenue of benefit that
this genetic breakthrough could realistically bring about is the
conclusion to some of the most controversial scientific theories.
For example, with continued research, scientists would be able to
figure out if Darwin's theory of evolution is factual.
Currently, Darwin's theory
maintains its status as a strong theory. However, what many people
may not realize is that when it comes to scientific research,
scientists will look for facts to prove a scientific rule or law
that they want to be known. In a case where they cannot base a rule
or law of science upon factual evidence, they will use a theory that
is based upon the closest evidence they have to fact. When they find
new evidence, they will use that instead.
Therefore, in the case of the
evolution theory, scientists can now conclude through genetic
research whether Darwin's theory is fact or fiction. "If all the
sequences are known, we can disprove or approve the hypothesis that
Darwin made about evolution. It will definitely assist us in being
able to identify the human origin," said Dr. Hoque.
As genetic research continues,
these issues will slowly be answered one by one. Only time will tell
whether or not companies will utilize the genetic codes of people
for unethical and immoral purposes
