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Scientists nearly finished mapping human genome

Scientists from a private genetic research company recently announced that the majority of all human genes are in its grasp, which some UA researchers say is a huge leap in biological understanding.

Craig Venter, director of Celera Genomics, said last week researchers have the DNA sequence of 90 percent of the entire human genome, and they believe that this data accounts for nearly all human genes.

"The Human Genome Project is a giant step in human biology," said Stephen Zegura, a University of Arizona biological anthropology professor. "To understand the position of a gene in our genome and the sequence of the genetic material will allow us to understand the ideology of numerous genetic disorders."

Venter said last week that the first phase of the project is nearly over. Celera, in Rockville, Md., is using almost 300 DNA sequencing machines working 24 hours a day and that data is being analyzed by some of the most powerful super computers in private hands anywhere in the world, Venter said.

"(Mapping of the human genome) will become an era of personalized medicine that will empower us as individuals to have more control over our personal lives," Venter said.

The purpose of the genome project is to determine the complete nucleotide sequence and to localize the estimated 100,000 genes within the human genome.

Pharmaceutical companies anticipate that the completion of this research will allow medical drugs to be tailored to individuals.

"Currently, pharmaceutical companies have access to patient's medical information, which allows companies to contact patients regarding clinical trials and innovative therapies that will benefit them," said Reasa Haggard, a UA geography junior and former employee of Glaxo Wellcome pharmaceuticals.

"These new discoveries in DNA sequencing will only enhance drug companies ability to specialize care for patients," she added.

Celera, which formally began its research in September, has taken the lead in this research from the publicly funded Human Genome Project which was established by the U.S. Department of Energy in 1990. It is now funded by the National Institute of Health in the United States and the Wellcome Trust in the United Kingdom.

Celera researchers have announced that the rough draft of the genome will be ready for publication in March.

Celera has already filed 6,500 preliminary patents on genes in parts of the human genome that they believe will be particularly useful for research. These patents mean that researchers who would like to access this sequence will be charged.

Venter, however said "most will be available without restriction."

Yet scientists believe sequencing does not necessarily lend itself to understanding.

"Over half the genes being discovered are new to science," Venter said. "It will take decades and decades and decades of research to understand this vast quantity of information."