Cracking the Code of Life Reflection

This week in class we watched the movie Cracking the Code of Life. We learned about The Human Genome project, its significance, and other studies like it. Also, the film talked about genetic disorders and diseases as well as explaining the research scientists have been doing to decode all of the human genes. The Human Genome Project is a scientific study to decode the entire human genome. This study became a fierce competition between scientists to see who would be the first to complete this complicated and difficult task. The Human Genome Project was eventually completed in 2003 when they decoded all 20,000-25,000 genes  (3 billion base pairs) and put them in a data base.This video also addressed issues such as the copy-writing sections of the human genome. I think this is horrible, everyone possesses those genes and therefore they should not belong to some company. Also, companies charge scientists large sums of money just to experiment on them and search for cures. In conclusion, this video was very interesting and I learned a lot about how scientists study genes.


1.) Would you want to be tested to learn whether thy had a genetic disease or predisposition if no cure was available? Why or why not?
Yes, I would, even if it turned out there was no cure. It is best to know these thinks earlier because if you don't know you have something or carry it,  it can end up seriously effecting  you offspring. Also, if I knew I was going to die soon, I would be able to spend that time doing what I want to and seeing the world. On the other hand, if there was a cure I would be able to be treated for it and therefor that could save my life. In addition, if I had a disease there was no cure for, scientists would be able to study my DNA to try to find a cure and save other peoples lives, as well as possibly my own.

2.) Would you agree agree to have your DNA be part of a study? Why or why not? Would you want royalties for your part in finding the gene? What if during the testing the company discovered you had a gene that might result in a health problem later in life? Would you want to be informed? Why or why not?

I would absolutely agree to have my DNA studied because the studies could potentially cure a disease or further scientists knowledge of the human genome. Also, I would contribute my DNA to a study because even if it did not help find a cure, scientists could also study it to find out more about what causes different traits.  I would not want payment for this however. All I would have contributed was some DNA samples, the scientists did all of the hard work, therefore they deserve all of the money their discovery earned. If the company discovered I had a gene that might give me health problems later in life I would want them to tell me, that way I could do something to prevent it now or make it less harmful in the future. It would be very helpful to know this information ahead of time, even if it is unlikely that I will suffer this genetic problem.

3.) Identify the meaning of the terms genetic discrimination and genetic privacy. What are some ways to protect against this type of genetic discrimination?

Genetic discrimination is when you are treated differently because of your genes, like companies refusing to hire someone because of their DNA. This is horrible because nobody should be able to examine you genes without your permission and you should not be treated differently because of it. There are several ways to prevent against genetic discrimination. Genetic Privacy can be ensured by keeping everyone's medical files should be kept confidential and any studies done on their genes should keep the DNA doner's name anonymous. Also, designer babies (babies who's parents decided all of their genes, like their looks and how smart they are before they are born) should be prohibited. If designer babies became popular than everyone would be basically the same, with no variety of people. Also, this could create serious problems like discrimination and social problems for people who did not have their genes designed. Overall, peoples genes should be kept secret and people should not be discriminated against because of their genes.


Overall Cracking the Code of Life taught me a lot about the human genome and how scientists study it. I found it especially interesting to learn about the human genome projects and the machines they used to decode all 3 billion base pairs. Also, learning about how you can use people's genes to find their relative that lived centuries ago was very interesting. I also learned a lot about how you can transfer genetic diseases down to the next generation and how people can be carriers for certain genetic diseases. Also, I learned a lot about copy writing genes and issues that that causes for scientists. Overall, I learned a lot about this video and found it very interesting.


http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/home.shtml