Over
the past decade, there has been an immense increase on the importance of
genetics throughout the medical field. People
are realizing that genetics plays a bigger role in diseases more than ever. There are several people to contribute the
success of the growing genetics industry, but one of the main driving factors was
the Human Genome Project (HGP). Without
the competition that was created between Venter and Watson and Collins to
complete the Human Genome Project, one could argue that the medical field would
not be where it is today.
The Human Genome Project got to a slow
start, however, they completed it by 2003, two years ahead of schedule. I believe this has a large part due to Craig
Venter. Collins and Venter had differing views on the techniques to use,
whether to patent the genome or not, public or private, and on several other
ideas toward the project. This feud “pushed” both sides to complete the human
genome sequence first. This reminds me
of the NASA mission to get a man on the moon because the United States didn’t
have a real emphasis on their space program until Soviet Union successfully sent
the first human-made object into space.
This pushed the US to be the first country to land astronauts on the
moon because of this sense of competition.
The HGP put more of an emphasis on identifying the DNA bases faster than
Venter so they could have the title of being the first to complete the entire
human genome.
Through the work of the Human Genome
project identified the estimated 30,000 genes and 3 billion base pairs in the
DNA of an entire human genome. This
allows for improved prevention, treatment, and cures of disease. It also helped to develop new tools for
genetic data analysis and storage. Relating
to my major, nursing, nurses must be aware of certain genes that could
predispose patients to a certain disease, for example the BRCA1 gene. Mutations of this gene increases the risk of
female breast and ovarian cancers. From
the completion of the HGP, researchers could identify this gene, and many
others, and create genetic tests to identify individuals that have certain gene
mutations.
BRCA1 & BRCA2: Cancer Risk &
Genetic Testing. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2018, from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/brca-fact-sheet
Shreeve, J. (2005). The genome war: How Craig Venter tried to capture the code of life
and save the world. New
York: Ballantine Books.
Interesting thoughts on how competition can drive scientific progress. I think it's reasonably accurate to state that this sort of competition is the "driving force of the medical field," among other factors like money and fear of disease. And of course I agree that the information we got out of the Human Genome Project has an immeasurably large effect on the fields of nursing and medicine. The exponential growth we're seeing in these fields wouldn't be possible without the HGP.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the success of the project was largely due to the competition created between Venter and Collins. I love the analogy between the HGP and the space program. History really does repeat itself, but in this case, it's a great thing. The space program helped scientists all over the world learn things about the moon that they never would have known before. The HGP contributed invaluable information to all health fields including neuroscience, nursing, oncology, and prevention of diseases. Moreover, it is still contributing information to us today, and it will probably continue to do so for decades.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your viewpoints on the value of competition in scientific discovery. While I tend to prefer collaboration, I can see how Venter helped to push the HGP forward. However, I feel that your train of thought is a bit hard to follow and could benefit from a bit of fine tuning.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your analogy between HGP and the space program in the US. I think that is a really accurate depiction of the way HGP played out. I view competition as a good thing for any program because it forces those that participate to challenge themselves. The "race" between Venter and the HGP certainly made the groups push not only themselves but each other in order to be the first.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your comparison between the HGP and the space race, and I really do feel like they fit perfectly here. Many people don´t have the motivation to do something until they are challenged. I know spite and a good old competition drives many things to be completed faster, and sometimes better with more innovation. When you find something that drives you to do better, and when you find something that challenges your abilities, the natural response is to press harder and prove yourself. Venter was just the man to do that, and I do believe he has contributed majorly to the scientific world, even if people view him as a villian. Again, you could say egos get in the way of collaboration and discovery, but I´d argue this is a pretty decent example of when egos and pride work in favor and completed a project successfully and ahead of schedule.
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