Human Genetic Variation: Science's 'Breakthrough Of The Year'
ScienceDaily.com
ScienceDaily (Dec. 31, 2007) — In 2007, researchers were dazzled by the degree to which genomes differ from one human to another and began to understand the role of these variations in disease and personal traits. Science and its publisher, AAAS, the nonprofit science society, recognize "Human Genetic Variation" as the Breakthrough of the Year, and identify nine other of the year's most significant scientific accomplishments.
"For years we've been hearing about how similar people are to one another and even to other apes," said Robert Coontz, deputy news editor for physical sciences who managed the selection process. "In 2007, advances on several fronts drove home for the first time how much DNA differs from person to person, too. It's a huge conceptual leap that will affect everything from how doctors treat diseases to how we see ourselves and protect our privacy."
The genomes of several individuals have already been sequenced. As technologies advance, many of us will have some, perhaps all, of our own genomes sequenced and will be able to learn the diseases for which we are at risk. MORE
This post also available at Exploring Autism.
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5 responses so far ↓
1 WMD // Dec 31, 2007 at 9:30 am
there have been a lotta great scientific first ’cause it was a priority – the national highway system, the atomic bomb project, the man on the moon project, the elimination of old age poverty via Social Security, etc.
gene decoding along with global warming, should be the national priority …….. and not the $500+ billion (an admitted undercount) for the GWoT
2 richard // Dec 31, 2007 at 9:36 am
I agree WMD but of course you know that have beaten this dead horse into dust.
3 WMD // Dec 31, 2007 at 10:17 am
attn Richard:
early Happy New Year’s
as long as we continue to face these same but unfortunately growing problems then the horse is not dead !!!
i ask the readers if the oil prices affects their daily life ( http://zfacts.com/p/35.html ) and why has the price gone up and how will their life change if the price goes higher
i ask the same question about theri health care cost
i ask them what will happen to their schools if they are not adequetely funded
i ask what are the implications if 40% of the homes in Charles County are bought with sub-prime loans
you must agree that the horse is not dead but needs a different rider
btw – Happy New Years (again)
4 richard // Dec 31, 2007 at 11:01 am
As a Happy New Year present to WMD, i will respond oh so briefly…
“i ask the readers if the oil prices affects their daily life”
I believe that the only way higher oil prices affect everyone is that consumer debt will rise en masse. Americans do not know how to sacrifice.
“i ask the same question about theri health care cost”
Again, consumer debt will rise…
“i ask them what will happen to their schools if they are not adequetely funded”
We’ll continue to turn out sub par graduates who cannot compete in the global market. Only American hegemony keeps us competitive now.
“i ask what are the implications if 40% of the homes in Charles County are bought with sub-prime loans”
There will most likely be some sort of bailout that will cost ALL OF US across the board…whcih of course is UNFAIR. I don’t even OWN property!
“you must agree that the horse is not dead but needs a different rider”
The dead horse is the issue that you keep touting: The “War on Terror.” As much as I wish that continued yelling and screaming would change the course of policy it has sadly been proven to be ineffective.
You’ll read less of me come midnight so look forward to it!
5 kamaraska // Dec 31, 2007 at 2:58 pm
happy and safe new year to all in Chas county..get a designated driver or sleep where you party..safe sex only -unless you are in a monogomous committed relationship-with a trusted partner..being human has some real perks..
If you have the availablity in Chas county -you might consider drinking bottled water in your drinks as several public community drinking sources have tested positive for radioactive elements which can pose a serious threat to your health.
The neighborhoods of Mt. Carmel in Pomfret, Chapel Point Woods below Laplata, and Clifton at the 301 bridge – [hundreds of houses]all had to have their water systems changed by the county due to this toxic water. +-30,000 private individual wells in chas county are not tested for nuclear elements-and they come from the same aquifer supply as the contaminated ones which were moved to the last remaining viable deeper aquifer…just thoughts for your safety in the new year. Ask your county commissioners about this Hushed little secret of Chuck county…be safe..i do not even allow my dogs to drink the water that comes out of my well-as a state test tests for some radioactive elements-but not all as i understand it.
I will offer more info in future posts . May the 4 winds bring all of you safely home New Years day..
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