Human Genome Project: Beneficial or Detrimental?

Human Genome Project (HGP) was a worldwide, joint research project whose aim
was to map and explain the entire genes of human being. The term "genome" refers to
the entire genetic instructions of an organism. It started in 1990 and was finished in 2003
with the aid of advanced technology. This project concerns the ethical, legal and social
implications (ELSI) that may arise by making this project. Ethical scholars weigh in, on
this project, to see which is more important: the gains we will benefit from it or the risks it
poses to humanity.
This project raises some ethical issues and negative implications in human’s
aspect and in humanity itself, as it destroys the natural flow of life. Lots of negative
implications arises from this project. Firstly, it may cause a loss in human diversity.
Diversity in humanity is the main reason of racism and other humiliation to other race of
people, from the group who think their race is superior to others. However, through
diversity we can gain new perspectives, creativity and firm physical base in our overall
genetic profile as a species. This project clearly restricts the genetic pool which could lead
to a weaker race in humanity. There are no clear evidence of how human modification
affects the humanity. This assumes that there is a huge possibility that it could cause
detrimental effects unto the subjected individuals. It also concerns the privacy of some
individuals as it shares human genes with government agencies. This is really serious
issue that needs to be discussed. Another scarry possibility that may develop in this
project is the trend in “designer” humans. At this point, humans have the power to
control human’s basic genes. This means that reproduction of a very alike two individuals
(clone) can be done in laboratories. The diversity and personal identification of each
individual is lost. Imagine, a community of individuals that has the same gender, face,
body, voice etc. Furthermore, this information can be used by other individuals or even
countries as basis to form weapons. Their goals might be political, eliminating those
specific individuals sharing the same genetic profiles (often their enemies) in the entire
human civilization. This idea, reduce and avoid physical war. In the future, this information
may be used to designed human species. Where genes are improved and has an
advantage over those natural humans, in which wealthy individuals could only afford. If
there are distinction between modified humans versus natural humans, genetic racism
may arise. These are some of the negative implications of having this project. These
implies that we need to be more careful in using the information in this project and should
only use it for the sake of humanity.

On the bright side, human genome project could help in the diagnosis and
prevention of certain human disease. Knowing the origin of the disease, it might help
us prevent and cure many diseases. There are diseases that has still no cure up to this
time and there are also diseases that is misdiagnosed because of its rarity. This human
genome project might address these issues. It would allow us to modify medication for
more effective treatment cycles. Before human genome project, medicines were made
based on a one-size-fits-all solution. This means that these medications are for everyone,
not only for certain people. This creates problems of some individuals because medicines,
won’t work to everyone. In which in this project, we can create a certain medication for a
certain individual only. In addition, Human genome project could also improve criminal
justice proceedings. By using our very unique genome, the discovery of “DNA
fingerprinting” is now developed. This can be used in comparing DNA samples, which
identifies and gives legitimate evidences to be used to arrest the real culprit of a crime.
By this means, it could improve more our justice system. This project also helped boost
the economy. Four million individuals were employed by this project and makes a
staggering $1 trillion in economic stimulus. This is still increasing up to this day.
Furthermore, human genome project is a starter-kit to also discover the genomes of
other living things; plants and animals. This helps us make better plants and animals.
Make a proper medication for them and strong resistance to diseases.

Apart from the threats in negative implications of this project, the goal and aim of
this project is still dense and heavy. The main objective of this project is to improve human
health and to make a better living. We should think a way how to use this project to
improve humanity. To sustain, increase survival rate and to live in this world with
satisfaction. This implies that the benefits of this project are still prevailing than its future
possible detrimental effects.

References:

[1] Gaulle, L. (2018). 10 Human Genome Project Pros and Cons. Ittana.org. Retrieved March
18, 2021, from https://vittana.org/10-human-genome-project-pros-and-cons
[2] Human Genome Project Pros and Cons List. (2015). NYLN.org. Retrieved March 18, 2021,
from https://nyln.org/human-genome-project-pros-and-cons-list
[3] Human Genome Project Pros and Cons. (n.d.). health research funding. Retrieved March 18,
2021, from https://healthresearchfunding.org/human-genome-project-pros-cons/