Cracking the Code of Life

Dear Asad!
I don`t understand why scientists at Human Genome Project are working so hard whereas human genetic code has already been deciphered completely. All they had to do was to contract or hire a couple of Indian movie directors and story-writers who are so good at creating identical twins.

The best Indian movie I saw with identical twins in it had one of the identical twin who happened to be a law abiding citizen but he is from a previous marriage whereas the other twin is a rufian whose father is the current husband. The previous husband is a thug and the current husband is a law abiding citizen. When the older bad guy is about to put his whole family into a meet grinder everybody starts dancing naked and........ then everybody knows what happened next.

So Asad! now you know what to do.

Deciphering of the human genome code is a seminal work in the history of biotechnology which will inspire innovations in future. But it would indeed be naive to assume that it would be followed by the creation of `` designer babies`` and the stuff like that. A plethora of researches in psychology have established that the personality and intelligence of a person do not solely depend upon his genotype. Although the genotype of a person does impart him phenoytpic(externally observable) characteristics, the intangible aspects of his personality are highly affected by the environment in which he grows up. For example his value system, perception of an event and the thought processes are colored by the set of his unique personal experiences. So even if two babies share a common genetic makeup, both may have different personalities and intelligence. However the genetics might help in curing certain hereditary diseases which are controlled by the genes only and not the external environment. But that it can produce Hitlers or Gandhis by replicating their genotype is doubtful.

Cheers

Informative.

I am not quite sure how to feel about the human genome project. In our exceptionally commercial world, it seems to me that this technology will only benefit the rich and the powerful. The technology will be controlled by a few powerful coorporations, which will charge a ridiculous amount for their ``services``. So while right now, the difference between children of rich and children of poor is based on environment and availability of opportunities, with this new technology, the difference can be made to be genetic also. That is a scary thought. With the disparity between the rich and the poor being already disgusting, this new technology will take it off the charts, so to say.

Asad,

Great article. You gave a clear overview of the signifcance of the Human Genome Project -- an event that seems to have been overlooked by many, including myself. You write very well.

Among the many issues raised, the question of whether biotech firms can patent the genome is interesting. I don`t know what the solution is, but clearly the extreme you mentioned -- of companies patenting genome information so that only a few have access is not beneficial. On the the other hand, the other extreme -- of preventing people and firms from profiting (by patenting) their research -- may remove incentives for people to find the cures for disease and other benefits this research makes possible. What are your thoughts?

In addition to the great gains in knowledge that the Genome project can yield, I have read and seen news pieces talking about the gains that can be made in our understanding of human history and human development from genetics. For example, I saw one documentary that explained that historians have been able to determine from studying modern man`s DNA that human beings experienced a great, worldwide famine approx. 40 thousand years ago which nearly wiped us out. How this is possible, I don`t know, but I suspect that we may make huge, possibly ground breaking leaps in our knowledge about our history.

One ``desi question`` along this vain that comes to mind is whether the ``Aryan invasion`` theory, which assumes that the mixing of Aryans and Dravidians, some 5,000 years ago, forms the basis for modern Indian peoples is valid. Again, any thoughts?

Harish

EXCELLENT ARTICLE!

You took a very confusing topic and made it`s nature and implications clearer for people with a non-science background.

As mentioned in the earlier replies, the movie ``Gattaca`` came into mind, the ``Hollywoodized`` version of the impending genetic revolution.

As for the implications on ``designer`` babies, that is happening already to some extent.

Couples who cannot have babies today, can actually choose their surrogate mothers in terms of physical characteristics. They ``buy`` eggs from various female donors. The most popular ``eggs`` come from blonde, blue-eyed, tall women.

``Designer`` babies are an inevitable outcome of the genetic revolution unless some serious laws are passed against genetic misuse.

On second thought, it would be nice to have more Enrique Iglesias clones in the world.

Interesting and potentially scary concept. I saw Gattaca and really enjoyed it. A must see for sci fi buffs.

From an Islamic point of view.... this is great. Imagine the following:

Muslim baby boys genetically engineered to be born circumscribed (No more trauma as per Solitude).

Tweaking of the genes to make muslims alcohol/drugs intolerant.

Toning down the gambling gene.

Toning down the sexual overdrive of Muslim men to control population and in turn relax women`s purdah laws.

Come to think of it population control may be considered against Islam by some. So much for relaxing the purdah laws.

Seriously though I think this would be great. One of the major potential medical benefits is to have the ability to turn on creative processes to regenerate damaged organs, limbs or whatever. I think the salamander (or some other lizard) is the only creature known to humans that can regenerate non-vital body parts (legs etc.) that get severed.

We could potentially design new organs like gills to swim underwater etc.

But I guess its still uncertain and far off in the future.

regards,

Chotu Khan

Asad!!!!!!!!!...Hey how are you????

I have returned to chowk after many many months (taking a break on a lazy Friday after slogging in the lab) and it was a pleasant surprise to find your name up there. So how you doin`?

My God already people want to know the Islamic take and ethical twist on this!!! Predictable chowkwallas...well I`ll wait for this discussion/ virtual fist fight/ clash of the intellectuals/ survival of the wittiest.... to evolve before I jump in screaming like a banshee.

Till then Mianjee you`re on your own....hehee have fun!

Nushmia

P.S your intro at the end is incomplete .....elucidation of viruses as tools for.......gene therapy???

Gattaca came out few years back it is based on Aldous Huxley’s classic genetic fiction ‘ Brave New World’ .. it is one amazing look into the future.. the books was written back in 1932… as always book is much better than the movie .. but you wont find Uma Thurman in the book!

Welcome to Chowk Asad from one Houstonian to another. Thanks for the informative and well-written piece.

From an Islamic perspective, there has always been this dilemma as to what extent human intervention should be permitted in the natural order of human development. For a second, take off your researcher hat and from a high level, give me your take on the issue and its relation to the genome project.

Thanks!

Asad!

Thanks for writing a very informative article. I think this article is an effective catalyst to start a discussion on the value of ethics in the Genetic Science and experimentation (with a desi perspective of course).

Since weekend is already here may I suggest an excellent movie on this subject to Chowkies. The name of this movie is ``Gattaca``, I hope it is available on video now.