Scientists announced this week that they have found a gene for a common age-related eye disease, macular degeneration. But how far does 'finding a gene' go towards actually developing a treatment?

In the years since the Human Genome Project began, many announcements of new gene findings have held out the potential of future medical advances. However, to date, few medical products and treatments can directly draw on the results of the massive gene-mapping program. Join Ira and guests in this hour of Science Friday for a look at how well the human genome project is living up to its hype.

Plus, a new study finds widespread mercury pollution in the Northeast -- in amounts greater than expected, as well as in some unexpected locations. We'll find out more about the mercury pollution, which is largely attributed to Midwestern power plant emissions.

Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (2-3 Eastern). Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests:
David Evers
Executive Director
BioDiversity Research Institute
Gorham, Maine

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Josephine Hoh
Assistant Professor, Epidemiology and Public Health
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut

Stephen Daiger
Professor, Human Genetics Center
University of Texas Health Sciences Center
Houston, Texas

Huntington Willard
Director, Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

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This segment produced by Karin Vergoth and Corey Binns