Gene Study: It's More Than a Scientist's Job"Gene study is not just a scientist's job, as the general public should also know about genes," experts have unveiled the mysteries of the human genome studies to citizens of Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province, east China.The development and application of gene technologies requires the concerted efforts of both scientists and society, said Francis Collins, chief coordinator of the Human Genome Project (HGP), who is here to attend the tenth International Human Genome Sequencing Strategy Conference. He explained in plain words how drastic genetic changes can cause various diseases, and described the endeavors of scientists to explore such changes in order to find more effective ways to prevent and cure diseases. Once their research findings are transformed into applied technologies, doctors will be able to prescribe according to the specific genes of different individuals, patients will receive more personalized care and pharmacies will usher in a new era, said Collins. Scientists and the media are both liable for promoting gene knowledge among the public, said Eric S. Lander, another leading figure in the HGP. "Support from the public is important for fostering the development of science and technology," said Lander, adding that three percent of the HGP's budget is used to popularize human genome studies among the public. However, the experts reminded the public that gene technologies can only help doctors by providing more accurate information on the molecular structure. "They cannot cause any changes to human genes," said the two experts, who called for common efforts of the international community to respect the law of nature and avoid gene abuse. Scientists from the United States, Britain, Germany, France, China and Japan have been working as a team on the human genome project. They have worked on different sections of the human genome and are expected to have a complete map after their results are connected to each other. They announced on June 26, 2000 that they have completed the working draft of the human genome sequencing. |
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