for a potentially debilitating, or even fatal, illness
that genetics has made inevitable? What is the re-
sponsibility of the individual? If a person is aware of
greater susceptibility to alcoholism, should health
insurance cover hospitalization that results from
that person’s choice to drink alcohol in excess?
Should government agencies make the decision for
hospitals or insurance companies as to whom to ad-
mit or cover, or should such decisions remain a pri-
vate matter?
The issue of confidentiality will potentially have
an impact on any decisions. Certain genetic prob-
lems may create an element of social stigmatization.
Genetic counseling will inevitably play an important
role in any decisions the individual or the person’s
family carry out.
Identification of disease loci in the human ge-
nome also produces a potential for treatment of
such diseases. While genetic engineering, the inser-
tion of a “normal” copy of a gene to replace one that
is defective, has had limited contemporary impact,
the ability to screen for genetic disease has provided
a means to monitor the potential development, as is
the case with the breast cancer genesBRCA1and
BRCA2, or at least to avoid certain foods, as with
phenylketonuria.
Research has had an impact on plant genetics.
Analysis of the genome in plants has allowed for a
better understanding of the structure, function,
and regulation of genes. Genetically engineered
crops such as soybeans or corn have resulted in
significantly increased nutritional value, a necessity
in feeding the ever-increasing world’s population.
The ability to inactivate “ripening genes” has re-
sulted in creation of tomatoes with significantly
increased shelf lives. Unfortunately, media-fueled
sensationalism—worries about “Frankenfoods”—
has created in the public’s mind an image of science
gone berserk.
Further Reading
Andrews, Lori B., et al.Assessing Genetic Risks: Implica-
tions for Health and Social Policy. Washington, D.C.:
National Academy Press, 1994. The sequencing
of the human genome has implications beyond
simply that of science. The authors address issues
including confidentiality and potential insurance
controversies.
Davies, Kevin.Cracking the Genome: Inside the Race to
Unlock Human DNA. New York: Free Press, 2001.
The story of the project, the goal of which was the
complete sequence of the human genome. The
author describes the determination of the struc-
ture of DNA (1953), the origin of the genome
project in the late 1980’s, and the work that led to
its completion.
McHughen, Alan.Pandora’s Picnic Basket: The Poten-
tial and Hazards of Genetically Modified Foods. New
York: Oxford University Press, 2000. A lay-
person’s guide to the scientific research behind
creation of genetically modified foods. The au-
thor addresses the controversies associated with
the subject in a logical manner, discussing both
advantages and disadvantages.
Narod, Steven, and William Foulkes. “BRCA1and
BRCA2: 1994 and Beyond.”Nature Reviews: Cancer
4, no. 9 (2004): 665-676. Description of the two
genes associated with congenital forms of breast
cancer, accounting for 20,000 cases annually.
Roles played by the protein products.
Palladino, Michael.Understanding the Human Ge-
nome Project. San Francisco: Benjamin Cum-
mings, 2002. Description of the history and sci-
ence behind the sequencing of the human
genome. Written at a level appropriate for the lay
reader.
Venter, J. Craig.A Life Decoded: My Genome, My Life.
New York: Penguin Books, 2007. Autobiography
of the man who, along with Francis Collins, was
instrumental in deciphering the human genome.
Venter’s view of events, while controversial in his
description of contributions provided by others,
nevertheless provides a detailed account of his
own role in the project.
Wilmut, Ian, Keith Campbell, and Colin Tudge.The
Second Creation: Dolly and the Age of Biological Con-
trol. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press,- “Biography” of Dolly the cloned sheep by
the scientists behind her creation. The authors
explain the process of cloning, while addressing
the controversies and implications resulting from
the ability to clone animals. The text is addressed
to the lay reader.
Richard Adler
See also Alzheimer’s disease; Autism; Cancer re-
search; Cloning; Genetic engineering; Genetically
modified foods; Human Genome Project; Medicine;
Nobel Prizes; Pharmaceutical industry; Science and
technology; Stem cell research.366 Genetics research The Nineties in America