Genome Project

Established in 1989 to carry out the role of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the International Human Genome Project (HGP). This projects primary goal is determining the sequence of chemical base pairs which make up the human DNA. This project identified and mapped the approximate 20,000 to 25,000 genes of the human genome. The project looked at the genes from the human genome from a physical and function standpoint. With the completion in April 2003 of the human genome sequence scientist around the world now have access to a data base that greatly benefits the pace of biomedical research.

With this great research accomplishment comes several ethical, legal and social implications. In 1990 The Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) program was founded. This program is an integral part of the Human Genome Project and the mission of the ELSI program is to identify and address issues that are raised by the genomic research that affect individuals, families and society. The ELSI program focuses on the possible consequences of privacy and fairness of genetic information, genetic discrimination in employment and insurance, the integration of new genetic technologies into clinical medicine, ethical issues surrounding the conduct and informed consent, the education of healthcare professionals, policy makers, students and the public about genetics.

A few of the ethical, legal, and social issues that the program are looking at are how will this genetic information be used by insurers, employers, courts, schools, adoption agencies and the military. Who should have access to this personal genetic information, how will it be used, privacy, confidentiality of genetic information, who owns and controls the genetic information, the psychological impact and stigmatization that could be due to an individual’s genetic difference, how will that personal genetic information affect an individual and how society perceive that individual, how does...