Massive RNA sequencing effort proposed

U.S. plan would harness the "RNome" for medicine and more-but funding is uncertain.

Genetic analysis of complex disease--a roadmap to understanding or a colossal waste of money

Billions of dollars are being invested by public and private agencies to study the human genome, with the ultimate goal of improving the diagnosis and treatment of human genetic disease. For monogenic disease, progress has been remarkable and for many of these, genetic discoveries have led to improved diagnosis, prevention and treatment. In contrast, for the much more common, complex diseases such as diabetes and cancer, progress has been far slower. Extensive media coverage caused naïve and unrealistically high expectations, which were followed by disappointment when dramatic results were not forthcoming rapidly. In fact, however, if one correctly assesses the complexity of the problem, progress has been exceptional. Using recently developed technology and huge genetic databases, rapid progress is expected in the coming decade. Even today, these studies are providing unique insights into the pathogenesis of complex disease, and these will undoubtedly be translated into additional tangible diagnostic or therapeutic tools in the coming years.

Personal genomes in progress: from the human genome project to the personal genome project

The cost of a diploid human genome sequence has dropped from about $70M to $2000 since 2007--even as the standards for redundancy have increased from 7x to 40x in order to improve call rates. Coupled with the low return on investment for common single-nucleotide polylmorphisms, this has caused a significant rise in interest in correlating genome sequences with comprehensive environmental and trait data (GET). The cost of electronic health records, imaging, and microbial, immunological, and behavioral data are also dropping quickly. Sharing such integrated GET datasets and their interpretations with a diversity of researchers and research subjects highlights the need for informed-consent models capable of addressing novel privacy and other issues, as well as for flexible data-sharing resources that make materials and data available with minimum restrictions on use. This article examines the Personal Genome Project's effort to develop a GET database as a public genomics resource broadly accessible to both researchers and research participants, while pursuing the highest standards in research ethics.

Investments in cancer genomics: who benefits and who decides

The Cancer Genome Atlas--formerly the Human Cancer Genome Project--provides an opportunity for considering how social concerns about resource allocation are interrelated with practical decisions about specific research strategies--part of a continuing convergence between scientific and public evaluations of priorities for biomedical research funding. For example, the manner, order, and extent that The Cancer Genome Atlas selects tumor types and populations to be sampled will determine who benefits most from its findings. Those choices will be determined on the basis of both scientific and social values. By soliciting public involvement and conducting rigorous policy analysis in the design of large scientific projects such as The Cancer Genome Atlas, cancer researchers can help democratize the allocation of scientific resources and foster public confidence in biomedical research.

The Human Genome Project: an examination of its challenge to the technological imperative

Increasingly scientists and governmental policymakers find themselves leaving their laboratories and office cubicles to share information and decision making with the general public. Contributing in large part to the development of science communication via the mass media has been the Human Genome Project (HGP). Examining the development of the HGP in the United States beginning with the early 1970s helps to establish why and how the general public has become a major player in science policy in the United States during the past quarter century, especially in regard to the ethical, legal, and social implications of research on human genetics. Calling into question the technological imperative--the idea that all things scientific must be pursued without question--the general public came to realize that exerting control over research funding is the key to participating in the scientific process.

Governing genomics in the 21st century: between risk and uncertainty

The paper reconstructs the governance of genomics by sketching the main features, modes of operation and tactics of the emerging genomics apparatus. Genomic governance in the 20th century is characterized by the simultaneous operation of a process of the stabilization of knowledge regimes, in particular via patenting. Furthermore, we observe a heterogenization and globalization of the actors and knowledge creating systems in genomics governance. A variety of different mechanisms and strategies of governance are mobilized simultaneously. The transition of governing via risk to governance by uncertainty is another important feature of contemporary genomics governance. The implications of these trends for the regulation of genomics are considerable and might lead to the emergence of new patterns and spaces of conflict and controversy. The governance of genomics in the 21st century could become a more complex challenge than currently anticipated by many policy makers and the scientific community.

From gene function to improved health: genome research in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has a prestigious track record in genetic and genomic research, with the structure of DNA, and delivery of a third of the human genome being significant landmarks. UK genomic research benefits from a variety of funding sources in both the public and private sector, and efforts to co-ordinate research strategies. Here we describe how this investment has impacted on the UK research capacity and highlight examples of progress in translating genetic information into improved healthcare.

The human genome sequence: impact on health care

The recent sequencing of the human genome, resulting from two independent global efforts, is poised to revolutionize all aspects of human health. This landmark achievement has also vindicated two differeint methodologies that can now be used to target other important large genomes. The human genome sequence has revealed several novel/surprising features notably the probable presence of a mere 30-35,000 genes. In depth comparisons have led to classification of protein families and identification of several orthologues and paralogues. Information regarding non-protein coding genes as well as regulatory regions has thrown up several new areas of research. Although still incomplete, the sequence is poised to become a boon to pharmaceutical companies with the promise of delivering several new drug targets. Several ethical concerns have also been raised and need to be addressed in earnest. This review discusses all these aspects and dwells on the possible impact of the human genome sequence on human health, medicine and also health care delivery system.

Is 'big biology' a commercial enterprise?

Big projects in biology - such as the human genome project and a number of related and ensuing enterprises - require big funding. A new tradition is growing in which some types of basic research take place within commercial organizations. This article reviews some of the reasons for this and some of the key players, in the USA, Europe and Japan, and highlights some issues to be considered when deciding whether particular research belongs in a company rather than an academic setting.

Fruits of human genome project and private venture, and their impact on life science

A small knowledge base was created by organizing the Human Genome Project (HGP) and its related issues in "Science" magazines between 1996 and 2000. This base revealed the stunning achievement of HGP and a private venture and its impact on today's biology and life science. In the mid-1990, they encouraged the development of advanced high throughput automated DNA sequencers and the technologies that can analyse all genes at once in a systematic fashion. Using these technologies, they completed the genome sequence of human and various other organisms. These fruits opened the door to comparative genomics, functional genomics, the interdisprinary field between computer and biology, and proteomics. They have caused a shift in biological investigation from studying single genes or proteins to studying all genes or proteins at once, and causing revolutional changes in traditional biology, drug discovery and therapy. They have expanded the range of potential drug targets and have facilitated a shift in drug discovery programs toward rational target-based strategies. They have spawned pharmacogenomics that could give rise to a new generation of highly effective drugs that treat causes, not just symptoms. They should also cause a migration from the traditional medications that are safe and effective for every members of the population to personalized medicine and personalized therapy.

Society and the human genome. Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins Memorial Lecture

In June 2000, the draft sequence of the human genome was announced. It is, and will be for some years, incomplete, but the vast majority is now available. Currently about a third is finished (including two complete chromosomes); the rest has good coverage, but not long-range continuity. First-pass analysis indicates, among other things, fewer genes than expected: about 40000 now looks a likely number. This uncertainty illustrates the difficulty of interpretation: the sequence is not an end in itself, but a resource to be continually reanalysed as our biological understanding increases. That is the scientific reason for releasing it promptly, fully and freely. The social reasons for doing so are even more compelling.