Bioinformatics - Solving Biological Problems Using DNA and Amino Acid Sequences
1. Introduction
In the wake of Genomic revolution, biology that used to be a lab-based science has transformed to embrace Information science. Human Genome Project is a 13-year project focusing on identifying approximately 30,000 genes in human DNA. The information found is stored in databases, analyzed and used for different purposes like simplifying diagnosis of disease, earlier detection of genetic predisposition to specific disease, custom drugs, gene therapy, gene replacement technologies [1]. Technological advancement has been one of the contributors for the early completion of this project.
Computer technology has facilitated in managing and using the deluge of biological data, and various software tools are used to model biological structures in biotechnology.
The simplest definition of the biotechnology industry is that it deals with the application of biological knowledge and techniques pertaining to molecular, cellular and genetic processes to develop products and services. The applications range from agriculture (genetically modified food, insect resistant fibre, food processing), industrial (biofuels, bioenzymes in pollution control) and medical biotechnology (diagnosing diseases, developing new drugs).
The ethical issues of Bioinformatics data collection and use of human biological data is being analyzed in this paper.
2. What is Bioinformatics
Fredj Tekaia at the Institut Pasteur offers this definition of bioinformatics:
"The mathematical, statistical and computing methods that aim to solve
biological problems using DNA and amino acid sequences and related
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8) Human Genome Project Information, Genetics and Patenting, http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/patents.shtml#4
9) The Golden Cusp by Samar Halarnkar and Venkatesha Babu , Business Today,
http://www.renodis.com/media/businesstoday/bustoday_article.htm
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11) Nature http://www.nature.com/genetics
Bibliography
1) www.bioinformatics.org
2) Rob Blatchey, Ethical issues related to the Collection, Storage, and Use of Data Obtained through Bioinformatics. http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~rdb2/bioinformatics.htm
3) Human Genome Project Information: Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues. http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/elsi.shtml
In 1990, the first great stride of genetics took place. This was called the Human Genome Project, a large-scale operation that was designed to understand the human genome (genetic structure). Since its commencement, there have been many leaps and bounds that have taken place. For certain genetic issues that we once knew nothing about, we no...
During the process of research, professionals collect data or identifiable private information through intervention or interaction. While this is a vital part of the scientific and medical fields, every precaution must be taken by researchers to protect the participants' rights. Ethics, outlined by the Belmont report; requirements, described by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS); and regulations, laid out by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are verified by an Institutional Review Board (IRB). This procedure assures that all human rights are safeguarded during the entire research process.
The more we know about genetics and the building blocks of life the closer we get to being capable of cloning a human. The study of chromosomes and DNA strains has been going on for years. In 1990, the Unites States Government founded the Human Genome Project (HGP). This program was to research and study the estimated 80,000 human genes and determine the sequences of 3 billion DNA molecules. Knowing and being able to examine each sequence could change how humans respond to diseases, viruses, and toxins common to everyday life. With the technology of today the HGP expects to have a blueprint of all human DNA sequences by the spring of 2000. This accomplishment, even though not cloning, presents other new issues for individuals and society. For this reason the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) was brought in to identify and address these issues. They operate to secure the individuals rights to those who contribute DNA samples for studies. The ELSI, being the biggest bioethics program, has to decide on important factors when an individual’s personal DNA is calculated. Such factors would include; who would have access to the information, who controls and protects the information and when to use it? Along with these concerns, the ESLI tries to prepare for the estimated impacts that genetic advances could be responsible for in the near future. The availability of such information is becoming to broad and one needs to be concerned where society is going with it.
The purpose of the human genome project was to select the best pairs of the genes and the desirable characteristics in the human beings to maintain the production of the organisms according to the desirable gene sequencing. This project was initiated to control the sequencing of the gene artificially [1]. The world’s largest biological plan was the human genome project as it was started on the large scale. The idea of this project was given by the researchers in 1984. The practical work started in 1990 to execute the project. The official declaration of the project carried out in 2003. The financial assistance was awarded to the program setup through the healthcare workplaces, where their engagement was significant. Another program
The genetic technology revolution has proved to be both a blessing and a blight. The Human Genome Project is aimed at mapping and sequencing the entire human genome. DNA chips are loaded with information about human genes. The chip reveals specific information about the individuals’ health and genetic makeup (Richmond & Germov 2009).The technology has been described as a milestone by many in that it facilitates research, screening, and treatment of genetic conditions. However, there have been fears that the technology permits a reduction in privacy when the information is disclosed. Many argue that genetic information can also be used unfairly to discriminate against or stigmatize individuals (Willis 2009).
This book is about the amazing task of mapping and showing all the sequences of the thousands and thousands of genes in the human body. The book is split up into nine chapters each of which covers a different aspect of this incredible project. The book tells all about almost every aspect of the project. It tells all about the project and what the point is, what has been accomplished so far, and when they expect it to be finished. According to the introduction the project is actually expected to be finished sometime this year.
The Human Genome Project is the largest scientific endeavor undertaken since the Manhattan Project, and, as with the Manhattan Project, the completion of the Human Genome Project has brought to surface many moral and ethical issues concerning the use of the knowledge gained from the project. Although genetic tests for certain diseases have been available for 15 years (Ridley, 1999), the completion of the Human Genome Project will certainly lead to an exponential increase in the number of genetic tests available. Therefore, before genetic testing becomes a routine part of a visit to a doctor's office, the two main questions at the heart of the controversy surrounding genetic testing must be addressed: When should genetic testing be used? And who should have access to the results of genetic tests? As I intend to show, genetic tests should only be used for treatable diseases, and individuals should have the freedom to decide who has access to their test results.
1. Capp, Marshall B. "Ethical and Legal Issues in Research Involving Human Subjects: Do You Want a Piece of Me? -- Kapp 59 (4): 335 -- Journal of Clinical Pathology." BMJ Journals. J Clin Pathol, 18 Jan. 2006. Web. 11 Feb. 2012.
Neergaard, Lauran. "Bioethics Panel Urges More Gene Privacy Protection." Indianapolis Star. 11 Oct. 2012: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 17 Mar. 2014.
The human genome project is something that I have been very interested with ever since first learning of it. I had heard bits and pieces of what it is about, but my interest was greatly stimulated by Dr. Whited in basic genetics 311 last spring. The discussion that we had regarding the project left me with several ideas and questions about not only the process and ethics involved, but the future of the study of genetics as a whole.
The Genome Project has been an ongoing project sense 1990 and was finally completed on April 14th , 2003. The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health were the ones directing the Genome Project. The progress of the Genome Project is still unknown because the project was completely finished, but scientists are still going to be researching the Genome Project for many years. The project is like a master blue print of the body. The scientists estimated to find about 100,000 genes in the human body but only found as few as 30,000. There are 4 chemical components that make up DNA, cytocine (C), thymine (T), guanine (G), and adenine (A), these 4 components make up who you are. There are a few goals that scientists were trying to reach, such as finding the structure and function of a genome.
20 Feb. 2014. Nardo, Don. A. Biomedical Ethics.
Sherlock, Richard. "Bioethics." Encyclopedia of Science, Technology, and Ethics. Ed. Carl Mitcham. Vol. 1. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2005. 193-200. Student Resources in Context. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. source 23
4- Tools for simulation and analysis of variouschemical structures such as polymers and nucleotides, example is AmberTools.
Biotechnology is a group of technologies that work together with living cells and their molecules to prolong life (Keener and Hoban et al., 2014). Today biotechnology can be used in a variety of ways such as in an industrial setting where they use it to create enzymes to synthesize chemicals, in an environmental setting where they use it for waste and pollution prevention and lastly it can be used in medical applications such as in pharmaceuticals, genetic engineering, DNA fingerprinting and lastly it can be used in stem cell therapy (Keener and Hoban et al., 2014). Everyone in today’s society depends on and uses biotechnology in one form or another, biotechnology is essential for our health and wellbeing. Vaccines are also manufactured using biotechnology which consist of three main ways, it aids scientists to separate pure antigen using specific monoclonal antibody, aids in synthesis of an antigen with the help of a cloned gene and lastly it also aids in the synthesis of peptides to be used as vaccines (Alam 2014). A vaccine can protect you from specific diseases that can make you sick or even kill you.