Genome Sweet Genome
© John McManamy
The following article is based on two pieces that appeared in my newsletter:
Last month's announcement that the human genome had been mapped out well ahead of schedule merited the full lunar landing treatment. Nevertheless, at least one commentator reminded us that we haven't been back on the moon in more than 30 years, much less put it to practical use. An historic breakthrough yes, but we are talking in terms of decades before we start reaping the real benefits of our genomic knowledge.
A series of articles in the New York Times offers an excellent perspective on where we are and how far we have yet to go:
According to Dr Francis Collins, head of the Human Genome Project of the NIH, by the year 2010 genetic tests will help identify people at highest risk of particular diseases. By 2020, doctors will rely on individual genetic variations in prescribing drugs, and by 2030, clinical trials based on genomic information will be underway to extend the human lifespan. Thanks to our advanced knowledge, many experiments done on lab animals or humans can be completed on computers. By 2040, gene therapy and gene-based drugs will be available for most diseases, and the average life span will be 90 (the year I turn 91, to bring this down to a personal level).
One research scientist told this writer that Dr Collins may be painting an overly rosy picture in order to keep the funds flowing in. That may well be the case, but one should never discount the possibility of the unforeseen breakthrough, either.
Genes are responsible for making proteins, which are the working parts of human cells, serving a variety of purposes from acting as cellular ceiling joists to catalyzing chemical reactions. In the words of the NY Times: "Understanding the role of every human protein - proteomics - will be one of the goals of the post-genome era."
But don't expect a Eureka! being cried out in some dark lab late at night over the discovery of a depression or bipolar gene. In all likelihood, mental illness stems not from a single gene, but from multiple genes acting with one another as well as the environment.
Perhaps some of you recall the announcement made in 1987 by a group of scientists who were convinced they had found the bipolar gene. After an investigation of Amish families, they thought they had pinpointed the culprit near the tip of the short arm of chromosome 11, only to concede
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