Most Important Scientific Event of 2007

The scientific event with the most noteworthy implications for the future was recognition of unique differences between genome sequences of respective(prenominal) people (Pennisi, 2007). It is believed that intimately 99.5% of pitying DNA is exactly the same in every person. inside that 0.5% lies the variations that are responsible for one-on-one traits and complaints, including Alzheimers, Parkinsons, depression, alcoholism, heart disease, and other serious diseases ( home(a) military personnel Genome Re try Institute).Genetic variations in addition affect how individuals respond to drugs and environmental factors. The goals of National gay Genome Research Institute are to discover and type sensation nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and other forms of transmissible variation on a big scale across the genome to infract high-resolution maps of genetic variation and haplotypes and to develop methods for the large-scale experimental and statistical analysis of SNPs, other for ms of genetic variation, haplotypes and Gordian traits (National Human Genome Research Institute).Previous work on the human genome has including the search for a relationship between precise genes and various diseases, such as an addiction gene or a cancer gene or some corresponding link. This seek has already led to the identification of specific genes that are responsible for several diseases.Previous research on the human genome has also identified what separates humans from other primates, genetically speaking. In accessory to identifying the genome sequences that are responsible for diseases, breakthroughs that occurred during 2007 will allow scientists to pinpoint the genetic variations that select me, me and you, you. Individual genomes appear to include the causes of behavioral traits that had been previously attributed to personality or psychiatric characteristics and not to genetics (Pennisi, 2007).The most obvious application of this research will be in the use of gene therapy to combat diseases. At the simplest level, understanding an individuals sensibility towards certain diseases will allow physicians to recommend disturbance treatments and lifestyle choices that can reduce or eliminate the genetic threat. On a to a greater extent complex level, genetic research can pop the question new, customized treatments that are specifically designed to match the genetic needs of the individual patient. Genetic medicine could be used to treat diseases after the disease has developed or, in some cases, used to treat genetic disorders during pregnancy. epoch the medical applications for genome research show much promise, there are also serious implications for individual privacy and genetic discrimination. Once again, legal and honest development has not kept pace with scientific and technological development. in spite of the introduction of several pieces of legislation designed to help ensure genetic privacy and to shield individuals from the m isuse of genetic information, there is still no federal legislation that addresses the issue of genetic discrimination in individual insurance coverage or to genetic discrimination in the piece of work (U.S. subdivision of Energy Office of Science, 2007).As the ability to sequence the genome sequences of individuals becomes more practical, insurance companies and other interested parties might consider it cost potent to use genetic sequencing to reduce any potential liabilities from policy holders or applicants. Many insurance companies already have policies regarding preexisting conditions. The leap from policies that come out preexisting conditions a policy that excludes diseases for which the individual has a genetic predisposition is not that far removed.The ability to map individual genomes will plain-spoken new doors for medical treatment of disease. Hopefully, 2008 will see breakthroughs of a similar magnitude in ethics and laws regarding the gathering, sharing, and use o f genetic information.References National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health (2008). Genetic variation program. Online. Retrieved May 1, 2008, from http//www.genome.gov/10001551Pennisi, E. (2007). discovery of the year Human genetic variation. Science, 318 (5858), pp. 1842 1843. Retrieved May 1, 2008, from http//www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/318/5858/1842U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (2007). Genetics Privacy and Legislation. Online. Retrieved May 1, 2008, from http//www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/legislat.shtml