| Genetics News:
NIH plans to sequence cow genome
The National Institutes of Health revealed Tuesday it plans to begin sequencing the genome or the layout of the genes of the cow as early as September, a project officials said could lead to a better understanding of the genetic basis for human health and disease. "By comparing the human genome with the genomes of different organisms, we can better understand the structure and function of human genes and thereby develop new strategies in the battle against human disease," National Human Genome Research Institute Director Dr. Francis S. Collins said in a written statement. Project to sequence cow genes OKd MSNBC Baylor has a cow in genome project
United States : Humane genome decoded
On April 14th, the International consortium encharged of sequencing the human genome announced the end of the humane genome project, since the latter has been nearly completed (up to 98%). An event already celebrated in February 2001 when the journals Nature and Science published 90% of its sequence. The end of the project comes two years earlier than planned but exactly fifty years after the discovery of the structure of DNA!
Jules Verne, here we come
A joint US-Japan project dug deep this past week. Very deep. Scientists with the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) have been drilling in the mid atlantic ocean bed, hoping to bring back a core sample of the intriguingly named Mohorovicic discontinuity. This is the boundary between the thin rocky crust we live on and the hot plastic mantle beneath. They actually came within about 1,000 feet of the mantle on this attempt, and hope to break through on a future try. Science.Ars covers that as well as new insights into our genetic make-up gleaned from the Human Genome Project. There's even some rather surprising news on one unexpected benefit of smoking marijuana. Take a deep breath and read on.
Genetics, DNA Extraction and the Human Genome Project - Naked Scientists 05.11.20
This week we unravel the secrets of DNA as Darren Grafham discusses the importance of sequencing genomes and how the Human Genome Project has improved medicine, Mike Majerus reveals why we look different from worms despite sharing genetic information, Anna Lacey interviews BBC producer Mike Salisbury about the new David Attenborough series, Life in the Undergrowth, and Kitchen Science goes back to school for a live DNA extraction experiment.
Opinion: Decoding Health Insurance - From the Human Genome Project to Universal Health Care
Excerpt: "[The] ability to predict illness is the potential for discrimination ... if confidential health information is released. Unfortunately the chances of such a breach of privacy occurring, despite lip service by politicians to prevent it legislatively, are probably inevitable. Not only is microarray technology easily accessible, but for-profit private insurance companies have strong incentives to use it to protect their bottom lines by denying service, claims or even coverage." (The New York Times; one-time registration required)
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