Human Genome Project

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/science/july-dec10/genome_07-07.html

READING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1. What is the human genetic code?

2. What has been called “the most significant scientific discovery since evolution?

3. Who is Dr. Francis S. Collins and why is he important to the Human Genome Project?

4. When did the Human Genome Project begin and what was the main goal?

5. What is DNA comprised of?

6. What does DNA help to determine in human beings?

7. Name two diseases that the Human Genome Project developments have impacted.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS choose two and answer in paragraph form (more research might be needed)

1. The story says that the mapping of the human genome was widely considered “the most significant scientific discovery since evolution.” Do you agree with that statement? Why or why not?

2. How have the scientific advances that resulted from mapping the human genome differed from what scientists expected at the beginning of this decade? Why do you think their expectations differed from reality? Can you give another example of where expectations and reality diverged in the scientific world?

3. Name some science fiction or futuristic movies that deal with human genetics. How is technology portrayed in the movies?

4. In the article, Dr. Collins predicts that “a complete transformation in therapeutic medicine" will occur in the next 15-20 years as a result of mapping the genome. What kinds of advances do you think scientists will achieve in the next two decades because of the Human Genome Project?

5. Do you know anyone who has suffered from cancer or Alzheimer’s disease,
 two diseases that could especially benefit from genome research? If so, what kinds of treatments or tests did those individuals receive? Were any of the treatments or tests linked to the human genetic code?

6. Would you like to have your DNA sequenced so you could know which diseases you might be susceptible to? Why or why not?