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Science
Friday > Archives
> 1998
> May
> May 15, 1998:
Hour One: Salt Lake Remote: Genetics
HUMAN GENOME REPORT CARD
Over the weekend, a private company announced plans to greatly step up the pace towards decoding all the genes in human DNA, beating the governmentally-driven Human Genome Project by several years and many millions of dollars. In this hour of Science Friday, we'll take a look at what we've learned so far from the $3 billion federal project, now halfway though its projected 15 year span, and from genetics research in general.
WHERE WE STAND
Researchers have been making great strides not only in sequencing the 60,000-odd genes that make up the human genome, but in mapping them to specific functions. Ultimately, many researchers hope to be able to translate knowledge of genes into an understanding of protein structure and function - and then use that knowledge to advance disease diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Advanced techniques have helped scientists investigate conditions including long QT syndrome, epilepsy, Tourette's syndrome, and macular degeneration. Other researchers are studying the role that genes play in growth and development, and are trying to track down genes responsible for tumor suppression.
GENETICS AND ETHICS
Modern genetics research isn't limited to solving laboratory problems - there is a substantial ethical component as well. As more information is collected about the human genome, researchers are looking into issues like insurance discrimination based on genetic information, the effects of genetic testing on stress levels, and the response of different groups of people to genetic test information.
THE LOCAL CONNECTION
The Salt Lake City area is home to a large Mormon population, which is known for keeping excellent records of their extensive family trees. These genealogical records are a useful source of information for genetics researchers. On this hour of Science Friday, in a special remote broadcast from the campus of Westminster College in Utah, we'll be taking a look at genetics research in and around Salt Lake.
Special thanks to KCPW Radio, United Airlines, Westminster College, Tuscany, Marriott Residence Inn by Trolley Square, Klay Anderson Audio, Red Butte Gardens, and the Utah Humanities Council for supporting Talk of the Nation and Science Friday's visit to Salt Lake City.
Guests:
Jeffrey Botkin
Director, Genisis Program
Eccles Institute of Human Genetics
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Mario Capecchi
Distinguished Professor, Department of Human Genetics
Eccles Institute of Human Genetics
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Ray Gesteland
Chair, Department of Human Genetics
Director, Utah Genome Center
Eccles Institute of Human Genetics
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Mark Leppert
Associate Professor, Department of Human Genetics
Eccles Institute of Human Genetics
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Steve Prescott
Senior Research Director
Huntsman Cancer Institute
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Articles Discussed:
Related Links:
Genecards: Human Genes, Proteins, and Diseases
HUM-MOLGEN
National Center for Genome Resources
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
Myriad Genetics
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