The map of life

Since the 21st century has already been popularly deemed the genetic century, it is only apt that its first year will in all likelihood se...

Since the 21st century has already been popularly deemed the genetic century, it is only apt that its first year will in all likelihood see the complete mapping of the human genome that is, the entire set of human genes. Indeed, just some days ago maverick American molecular genetist Craig Venter shocked the scientific world out of its millennium hangover by announcing that his company already had the rough draft, and would put the finishing touches to this map of life by this summer. If successful, he would thus pip at the post the Human Genome Project, a sprawling US-sponsored endeavour to map 100,000 genes. This raises two points.

One, what will this advancement in knowledge mean for man8217;s understanding of life, and his never-ending efforts to manipulate it? Two, given the fact that Venter has already filed provisional patents on a long list of genes, what implication could this have for scientific research and the benefits these discoveries could have for everyday folks?

The mapping of the human genome can safely be put on par with James Watson and Francis Crick8217;s discovery of the double helix structure of DNA. On that occasion in February 1953, in a delightful variant of Archimedes8217; vault out of his bathtub, Crick had declared in a pub: quot;We have discovered the secret of life.quot; It is a telling comment on our times that today a Eureka discovery propels scientists to first dash for the patent office. Like Venter. Hence, it is not merely professional rivalry that has elicited howls of outrage from scientists on the Genome Project. Yes, they are bound to be worried that not only will Venter8217;s endeavour cost a fraction of their 1.2 billion budget, it may also prove the validity of his time-saving, risky approach. It is on ethical grounds that Venter is vulnerable, for while the Genome Project is sought to be put in the public domain, he is seeking millions of dollars for access to his huge archive.

Scientists believe that once this genetic blueprint is known, they can effectively treat a host of diseases as well as prevent and reverse 8212; genetic defects. In fact, they have already embarked on that path. Consider Alzheimer8217;s. Researchers have already zeroed in on a bad8217; version of a gene whose presence increases a person8217;s chances of suffering premature memory loss. With this awareness, he or she could avoid certain activities that lead to the onset of the disease.

The inexorable march of genetic science could, of course, soon make treatment of this disorder a reality. Is there then any justification to patent and commercially exploit details of newly discovered genes? And make no mistake, others are bound to rush in where Venter is now treading.

Perhaps they should read the citation for the first recorded patent in history. In 1421 the city of Florence awarded a Filippo Brunelleschi a patent for a new way of loading ships and hoped that it quot;shall be brought to light, to be profit of both to said Filippo and to our whole country and others; and that said Filippo may be animated more fervently to even higher pursuitsquot;. That is, patents should profit humanity, not just their owners.