Human Genome Sequencing Completed

Arthur Dent '99 writes "According to this article at Reuters, the last chromosome in the human genome has finally been sequenced, taking 150 British and American scientists 10 years to complete. The sequenced chromosome, Chromosome 1, is the largest chromosome, with nearly twice as many genes as the average chromosome, making up eight percent of the human genetic code. The Human Genome Project has published the sequence online in the journal Nature, according to the article. It contains 3,141 genes (over 1,000 of them newly discovered), and 4,500 new SNPs -- single nucleotide polymorphisms -- which are the variations in human DNA that make people unique."

Comments

Re:I'd like fries with that

[MBCook]

Odd things can be related. I remember hearing about how there were fox fur breeders somewhere (like in Russia). They decided to try to breed tamer foxes so they wouldn't have to worry about getting bit so much. Well after a few generations they succeeded. There was only one problem: all the tame foxes had a big white streak down their back, ruining the pelt. They two traits were related somehow, even though you wouldn't think it.

So, what if it was a choice between good vision and very high intelligence? How about between good vision or very low risk of cancer/heart disease?

Bad vision is correctable. If there is a trade off to make, good vision would be something that wouldn't be too hard to trade for something better.

Re:A simple question

[SnowZero]

Evolution is a process with a lot of randomness. So I'd instead ask the question: Why would you exepct them to be the same?

Remember kids...

[TheOldSchooler]

Your single nucleotide polymorphisms are unique! Just like everyone else's.