2-billion chemical bases that make up human DNA. This information will be stored in computer databases while data analysis tools will be developed to apply this information to human biology and medicine. Results of the HGP are hoped to transform the treatment of symptoms in molecular medicine to address the deepest causes of disease at their molecular foundations in their earliest stages. Gene therapy will soon be "fixing" genetic errors before they result in disease. Finally, the HGP will address the ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) that may arise from the project. The United States HGP is the first large scientific undertaking to address these types of issues. .
The original goals for the $3 billion project were set in 3 five-year plans. The goals are centered around the following aspects: Mapping and Sequencing the Human Genome, Mapping and Sequencing the DNA of Model Organisms, Data Collection and Distribution, Ethical, Legal, and Social Considerations, Research Training, Technology Development, and Technology Transfer. Because of the rapid progress, the plans were updated in 1993 and again in 1998. The first complete working draft was completed in June 2000, and the final sequence is expected to be available by 2003. .
DNA Structure and Biology.
Genetic information is the complete set of inherited instructions, or an organism's genome, for building proteins and other molecules. Inside the nucleus of each mammalian cell are pairs of chromosomes that are composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). This long, helical molecule carries all the information to direct the production of proteins. .
Biologists were convinced that chromosomes carry genes and genetic information, but they wanted to find out whether it is DNA or proteins within the chromosomes. Since proteins were known to be so important and are polymers made of 20 different amino acid monomers, they were the prime suspects for carrying genetic information.