Word: maps
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...biggest problem with patenting genes is that while scientists have at least a general idea of what specific strands of genetic coding do, often it's just that--general. Investigators do sometimes succeed in isolating a single, crisp gene with a single known function. Often, however, researchers trying to map genes get no further than marking off fragmentary stretches of DNA that may be thousands of bases in length. These so-called expressed sequence tags may have real genetic information embedded in them, but determining where those nuggets are and what their structure is takes more digging...
Scott's rivals at Genset, based in France, are taking a similar approach: their map, to be completed in early 2000, will highlight just 60,000 of some 10 million biochemical "beacons" found along the human genome. By comparing the DNA of many individuals in and around these signposts, Genset hopes to pick out specific genes whose malfunctions actually cause disease. It has already begun to work. Using this technique, says Genset chief genomics officer Dr. Daniel Cohen, the company has found two different genes involved in prostate cancer. Cohen points out that the 20 most common diseases, which kill...
Nonetheless, scientists with the federal project were quick to criticize Venter's new plan. They said that his genome map will be full of holes and that his financial backers will lock it up with patents, blocking the advancement of science...
...Federal Government is currently spending $3 billion trying to map all human DNA. Do you agree or disagree with this use of taxpayer dollars...
AROUND THE GLOBE Match each of the following descriptions with the appropriate people and places on the world map above...