Cracking the Code of Life

RSaxena,. ``Maybe in the year 3000, Hindi/Urdu can be the dominant language rather than English.``

Imagine the great grand children of Julio Iglesias singing ghazals in Urdu and bhajans in Hindi. That will be the day :)

Hi Nushmia,

Thanks for the warm welcome to Chowk!

Will join the discussion after finishing some experiments. You`re right about the incomplete intro: it was supposed to read `...viruses as tools for gene therapy of cetain hereditary diseases affecting the liver`

A

Dear Asad,

Informative article!! Amazing implications, when I think of all the diseases we can cure by using this technology...and the thousands of lives which could be consequently saved.

Asad:

Welcome to Chowk.

Your passion for your work shows through. Others better qualified and interested are asking the right questions and I ‘d rather stand by and read the interacts.

I have one naive question for you. With this engineering break through can Hatred be reduced and Tolerance increased in the new-born?

Also, one other thing -- are the benefits of any genetic engineering in a major way confined to those yet to be born or can they alleviate miseries and sufferings of those currently inhabiting Mother Earth as well?

regards,

temporal

Re: Harish #7 and others

Harish,

I agree with you regarding the patenting issue being a double-edged sword. There are no easy answers but looking at it from a geneticist`s viewpoint: if I am denied genome information that can be vital for my research then a couple of months efforts can end up being much over that. From a patient`s perspective, genome information translates into gene-based diagnostic tests, but companies patenting such information can charge exorbitant amounts for their services. So we are talking about biotech firms that only look at profit margins. Quite the opposite thought process is a product of the academic labs, since a good amount of research breakthroughs are published for all to benefit from. On the other hand the fact that you need patenting as a safeguard for your discoveries is flawed when you look at the sequencing effort of the human genome project: it was a decentralized effort with 5 main centers in the U.S. and U.K. collaborating extensively. All sequence being generated was being made publicly available on the Internet. Celera Genomics (and its maverick Craig Venter) certainly provided the impetus for the publicly-funded HGP to get its rear into gear, but I still cannot be convinced how the former (or any other biotech firm) can claim ownership of the genome or any part of it?

Thanks for bringing up the role played by recent genomomic work in elucidating human history. Knowing about our genes has certainly given us insight into anthropology...molecular anthroplogy maybe I should say? My knowledge about this fascinating field is sketchy but I do remember reading papers about how genotyping people from different races and ethnicities has provided evidence of past exoduses, and other similar events in human history. Studying mithochondrial DNA inheritance patterns (so-called `Maternal inheritance`) in humans indicate, amomg many other things, that we are all descendents of a handful of people (if not one person..namely a woman from Africa called the `Mitochondrial Eve`..controversial issue!). Nothing new in that some would argue. Furthermore, Y-chromosomal studies have allowed elucidation of `Paternal inheritance` in humans and can strengthen or weaken issues of racial lineage.

Your question regarding the role of the mixing of the Aryans and Dravidians resulting in people of the Indian Subcontinent is intriguing and my guess would be that DNA studies would certainly be one way of going about it. Again not my area of expertise, but interesting all the same.

I would rather not say anything about recent human genome-based progress vis-a-vis Islam, primarily because I am not really knowledgeable about these aspects. I leave that to better informed `Chowkwallas and Chowkwallis` to inculcate me about these issues.

Asad.

Very informative article.

Ras

``Khuda kay waastay pardah na Kaabay say utha
Zalim,
Kahin aisa na ho ....`` (Ghalib)

An exceptionally lucid and interesting article that highlights scientific points in addition to forcefully portraying personal perspectives.

However, I wonder why there was a slight case of `pussyfooting` as far as the evils of the Human Genome Project`s applications are concerned: would genetic information and genotype details not be used in future to savagely discriminate against people with predisposition for ailments and disorders; would there not be a desire to control human beings on the basis of genetic composition and eliminate controversial (for pro Establishment

people) elements of human nature like natural genius, strong individuality, sexuality quotient,

aesthetic features. I dread the emergence of a Stalin who would like a homogeneous group of slavish commoners with average intellect, a general stupor and muscular weakness. Or a mullah

in charge who would like to eliminate genetic `deviants` who dare to desire the forbidden!!!!

Genetic sequences are not only the key for conquering diseases using gene therapy. They are also a blueprint for mischievous manipulation in order to generate test tube human beings, full of certain attributes and devoid of others!

Yusuf Nasrullah.

Boston, United States.

yusuf #23, ``Genetic sequences are not only the key for conquering diseases using gene therapy. They are also a blueprint for mischievous manipulation in order to generate test tube human beings, full of certain attributes and devoid of others!``

Now we have to be realistic here Yusuf. With all the rules and regulations followed in the field of medicine, I don`t think this scenario is bound to happen. Just because the human race has the capability of making nuclear bombs doesn`t mean they will practice bombing each other with them.

I believe human reasoning will prevail in terms of scientific advances. In this day and age, I`m sure we will put human genome mapping to good use.

This is all hogwash. One cannot believe in the ATCG stuff and the genes. God created man and then ina fit of madness created the women - atleast that is what the religious texts say. So how come the god fearing musalmans are into the genetics business and genomes or are they gnomes. You are commiting sacrilege since you are also saying that man can create man and become god. You lot are turning yourselves into kafirs by believing in kafr.

Wake up and smell the coffee - God is one and it is god who created us interfering in gods work will surely bring gods wrath unto us.

(Irony, sarcasm everywhere, and smilies toooo )

nameless #25,

Have you been getting lessons from hamidm on sarcastic low level humor?

Not funny.

Article on CNN.com:

Gene therapy for cancer?

Early results promising

August 1, 2000



(CNN) -- Researchers have found

evidence that gene therapy may be an effective cancer treatment. Writing in the journal Nature Medicine, Dr. Fadlo Khuri of the M.D. Anderson

Cancer Center at the University of Texas in Houston reported the results of clinical trials using a genetically engineered adenovirus called ONYX-015 in conjunction with standard chemotherapy. The virus, which is related to the

common cold virus, had been modified to seek out and destroy cancer cells. The treatment was completed on 30 patients with head and neck cancers.

``The results of this study are encouraging in that they represent an incremental improvement in

some cases, and in some patients, a dramatic

one,`` said Khuri.

Tumors completely disappeared in eight patients.

more of the article on:

http://www.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/cancer/08/01/cancer.gene.therapy/index.html

scout says

{nameless #25,

Have you been getting lessons from hamidm on sarcastic low level humor?

Not funny.

}

apologies. But was amused for the enthu being shown for the latest in sciences which is often considered the work of the devil satan shaitaan etc.

Re: scout

``I believe human reasoning will prevail in terms of scientific advances. In this day and age, I`m sure we will put human genome mapping to good use.``

Couldn`t agree more. By the time the maniacs figure out how to misuse genome mapping for destruction, we will have manipulated genes enough to keep them from being born :)

Gene therapy will not be a panacea for all ailments. Like some others pointed out it will be able to provide some benefit (or maybe a great deal of benefit depending on the disease), but the impact of the environment (which translates into your diet, lifestyle, habits, etc.) CANNOT be over looked. Likewise, the idea of creating more tolerant human beings, or those with some other such attributes, is far fetched because the environment in which you raise the kid will still have a major impact on physical and spiritual development. In other words, genetic clones of Hitler or Mother Teresa will not necessarily end up with the same attributes. The prospects of human cloning, though far fetched, are certainly scary all the same, hence the need for strict laws against such attempts. But cloning of large animals has been acheived (remember Dolly the sheep?), but does that bring us closer to cloning humans? and for what purpose? This is very much the dark side of the science.

From a more desi perspective, the Third World countries are far from jumping onto the genomics bandwagon. So does that mean that only the richer/more developed countries will be able to enjoy completely the fruits of this new science?

Asad

RE: Rsaxena#29

May be WE ARE those maniacs.

Aim #30, ``So does that mean that only the

richer/more developed countries will be able to enjoy completely the fruits of this new science?``

Hasn`t this been the case with every new science?

Third World countries get to it last. Unless they get themselves out of the socioeconomic standstill (or in Pakistan`s case, downhill), no new science will flourish in Third World countries.

Perhaps if Pakistani and Indian doctors like yourself take your knowledge, wealth, and power to your own countries and put it to use there, we have a chance at improving our status.

I plan on doing just that once I graduate and earn

enough dinero (cash) to make a difference in Pakistan. Every little bit will help.