Genome Project

The definition of the Genome Project is scientific research which started in 1990 to map the 25,000 genes of the human body.

Goals of the Genome Project

• Analyze the information these genes may hold, and unlock the benefits they can give to us when they work in conjunction with each other.
• Allow diseases to be predicted by finding the genes underlying diseases and treat them before they become a problem. Already the genome sequencing of the Project has led to the pinpointing of multiple genes that are responsible for diseases such as breast cancer and muscle disease.
• Give new ideas for how to treat, diagnose and prevent diseases.
• The study of genomes will ideally eventually lead to a state in which we can identify people on a basic level, much as we use DNA today, by their gene sequences. Gene sequencing can outline everything from a person’s hair color to hereditary diseases the person may be carrying and can possibly pass on to a child.