The National Human Genome Research Institute is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Human Genome Project, which was officially completed on April 14, 2003. Dr. Robert Cook-DeeganResearch professor, Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy and Duke's Sanford School of Public Policy; author of "The Gene Wars: Science, Politics, and the Human Genome."Bob.cd@duke.eduhttp://www.genome.duke.edu/directory/faculty/cook-deegan/ Quote: "Ten years later, it is still amazing to me that it actually happened. Mapping and sequencing 'the' human genome was a stretch goal for sure, but many incredibly talented people worked frenetically to beat the goal by a couple of years. "After all the Sturm und Drang about whether it could be done, should be done, was worth doing, and the horrible things that would ensue, 10 years later we confront twin ironies. "The first is that sequencing individual genomes is common and relatively inexpensive in a way no one would have imagined. The second irony is that while science has advanced, the promised practical uses have not been all that plentiful, leading to skepticism. And that's understandable." Dr. Geoffrey Ginsburg Director of Genomic Medicine, Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy, executive director of Duke Medicine's Center for Personalized Medicine; editor of "Personalized and Genomic Medicine." geoffrey.ginsburg@duke.edu http://genome.duke.edu/directory/faculty/ginsburg/Quote: "Today, the nation is in the process of reforming health care, with the aim to reduce costs, increase access and improve outcomes. One decade since the Human Genome Project's end, the question remains how sequencing the human genome can contribute to achieving these goals. "But it is important to remember that the Human Genome Project was not conceived with health care in mind. Rather, it was an audacious scientific challenge to advance and accelerate knowledge of the fundamental biology of humans, as is necessary for the progress of medicine. "Genomic medicine is practiced today in a wide variety of settings, perhaps most notably in cancer. In addition to the health benefits of the Human Genome Project for society, genomic technologies are also emerging as an important contributor to the global economy as evidenced by the thousands of biotechnology firms formed since the 1990s, the embrace of genome-enabled drug discovery by pharmaceutical companies, and the growth of the molecular diagnostics market globally. "Pioneering scientists chose to sequence the human genome because it was a bold challenge and because success would substantially advance the understanding of human-kind, biology and the science of medicine. Ten years later, the benefits of genomics in clinical medicine are just beginning to be realized. There is little doubt that genomics and genomic medicine will continue to inform patients, researchers, health care professionals, and society in ways currently unimaginable." _ _ _ _ _ Duke experts on a variety of other topics can be found at http://newsoffice.duke.edu/resources-media/faculty-experts.
