The Human Genome Project and human dignity

Abstract

What is it that ultimately justifies scientific projects which cost millions of dollars? What ought to be done to ensure that the knowledge and power gained through scientific research be used for man's ultimate good? What precautions ought to be taken to make sure that this knowledge and the power which stems from it, is not abused to man's detriment? In this article I will attempt to examine these basic questions with regards to an area of research, which will certainly revolutionize the whole of medicine: the Human Genome Project The aim of the Human Genome Project is to decipher the entire human genetic code. This is an immense task: Human DNA is calculated to be about two meters long and 1 nml thick. It is made up of about three thousand million nucleotide bases? To isolate a genetic sequence within the human DNA is a very difficult enterprise: one B chain of haemogoblin contains 146 Amino Acids. Each Amino Acid requires three bases. Therefore the B chain is coded by a chain of 438 nucleotide bases on the DNA. This is equivalent to finding a 1.5 mm segment within two kilometers!