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Scientists Complete Map of Human Genetic Variation

Posted by samzenpus on from the one-of-these-things-is-not-like-the-other dept.

UltimaGuy writes "A major scientific step in the field of genetics is set to speed up the search for the causes of common illnesses ranging from heart disease and cancer to Alzheimer's and asthma. Scientists have mapped patterns of tiny DNA differences that distinguish one person from another, a step that will speed up the search for genes that promote common illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes."

9 of 190 comments (clear)

  1. If there ever was... by Seoulstriker · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If there ever was a case for computational biology, this is it. :-)

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    1. Re:If there ever was... by CyricZ · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Indeed, these researchers are on the cutting edge of technology. They're pushing today's computing systems to the limit. It is research like this that will truly help drive forward computer hardware. Much like the Apollo project resulted in so much technological spin-off, we're bound to see the same happen with this sort of research, too.

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  2. Great by dtfinch · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I'm not sure how they define "complete", but I bet in 30 years or so, after major discoveries have been made based off this, and all the patents have expired, and I'm dying of old age, this could really lead to some good treatments for a number of rare genetic illnesses, except for those so rare as to make developing a treatment unprofitable.

  3. Well all I can say is... by Create+an+Account · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Hurry up!

    As a survivor of stage I kidney cancer, stage III colon cancer, arthritis, and diabetes I am a little anxious for progress in this field.

  4. Re:Podcast from nature by clarabellabo · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Maybe so but how many people are actually keeping track of this kind of research? I do to a certain extent because I have Usher Syndrome (a genetic condition) but I bet most people don't. I think it's great that they make announcements like this so the masses get to know about it. Maybe this kind of exposure will help more stem cell research to get done someday. If that happened then I might not have to face a future where I'm blind and deaf...and other people with genetic conditions may see cures in their lifetimes too :)

  5. Re:Then what? by shmlco · · Score: 3, Insightful
    "Take antibiotics, for example. They were supposed to be able to cure so many things... but the viruses and bacteria learn to get around them."

    I'd perhaps pay more attention to your concerns if you appeared to know more about the subject. An antibiotic is a drug that kills or slows the growth of bacteria. It has no effect on viral agents.

    As such, a virus doesn't "learn" to get around them.

    And THAT being the case, your comments strike me as little more than the semi-modern version of that hoary cry, "There are things man was never meant to know."

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  6. Re:Then what? by Joe+Random · · Score: 4, Insightful
    ...we're going to be playing God at every turn.
    Every time humanity does something that was once impossible, someone has to comment that we're "playing god". But genetic engineering makes us no more or less guilty of that than, say, animal husbandry. Same concept, different mechanism.
    Take antibiotics, for example. They were supposed to be able to cure so many things... but the viruses and bacteria learn to get around them.
    Antibiotics don't work on viruses in the first place. Never did. And bacteria don't "learn" to get around them so much as our misuse of antibiotics kills the susceptible bacteria and leaves the resistant ones to multiply, so that the next time the antibiotic is less effective. Not that the resistant bacteria are some sort of "super bugs" or anything. They just happen to be resistant to one specific method that was used to kill them. Evolution at its finest.
  7. Roads travelled by Ksisanth · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Quite a few roads to hell have been paved by eugenicists, so it shouldn't be surprising that many people now hesitate walking on paths that intersect them, knowing full well that there will always be people willing to turn at that intersection and follow in those footsteps, perhaps without even noticing.

    The "real question[s]" you point to look more like pamphlet questions to me--the easy, obvious questions that guide the reader to predetermined conclusions. Then the segue into "the magic topic of race". A couple of statements of "fact" to get the nod of agreement, and then,

    "How will people react to the mounds of evidence that will continue to build that the races are not indeed equal as they would want to believe?"

    Hello! How easy is that jump from issues of medicine to issues of sociopolitical philosophy?

  8. Re:Then what? by CharlesEGrant · · Score: 3, Insightful
    Wouldn't this sort of thing almost be a sort of cosmetic surgery in the end though?

    Let me give you a couple of examples of what it is already doing. I have a dear friend with an inoperable brain tumor. It turns out this particular form of tumor has genetic markers that are strongly correlated with its response to chemotherapy. After a biopsy of the tumor they can run genetic tests and give you a much clearer picture of whether chemotherapy is likely to be effective or not. As you doubtless know, chemotherapy is no picnic, so it is a hard, hard decision figuring out whether you should undertake a treatment that may extend your life 5 years, or simply screw up the the last three months you have. Tools like this genetic analysis help a bit.

    On the absolute cutting edge of genetic therapy, doctors in France treated several children who had no immune system (bubble boy disease in popular parlance) due to a genetic defect. They were able use viruses to transfer a correctly functioning copy of the broken gene into the children's bone marrow. All of the children developed fully functioning immune systems. Unfortunately three of the children developed leukemia and one died. Certainly here is an example of the unforeseen consequences you are worried about, but what do you do in the face of a lethal disease like this?

    Do these sound like cosmetic surgery?

    I think it's great if we can avoid the problems, but I foresee it being used (at least in the beginning) by only the people who can afford to have it done.

    How is this different from any form of medical care now in existence? Across the world, even in countries with socialized medicine, the wealthy can get better health care then the poor. If you are going to wait to develop medical treatments until this inequity can be solved, you are going to wait a very long time.

    And, it's sad that people DON'T volunteer more time and energy to help those in need. We seem to be moving into a time where people are becoming more selfish even though they have more than they need.

    But again I ask, what is your moral standing to make this criticism? How much of your time and treasure have you given? You could cancel your cell phone this very week, send the money to Doctor's Without Borders, and they might save several lives with the supplies that it buys. Are you going to do it? I don't mean to pick specifically on you here. I have a cell phone, and unfortunately I am not going to cancel it and give the proceeds to a worthy cause. I'm just trying to make the point the people are sometimes too quick to demand charity and sacrifice in others while not offering it themselves.