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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."

3 of 190 comments (clear)

  1. 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.

  2. 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 :)

  3. 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.