The decades of research scientists around the world have invested in decoding the human genome can have an enormous impact on us in a variety of ways, which can include helping us to:
- design medications that can better work with our bodies (Some even talk of creating "customize" medications that could be tailored to individual patients based on their unique genetic structures.)
- enhance doctors' abilities to diagnose diseases
- provide clues to which genes predispose people to certain diseases.
However, while creating a blueprint of humans' genetic information can do a lot to help us prevent and treat a number of diseases and conditions, there are some associated downsides. For example, some speculate that eventually "designer" doctors will be able to tinker with a fetus' developing genetic structure. They will have the ability to alter eye and hair color, height and other features based on parents' preferences.
Consequently, as scientists continue to analyze the overwhelming amounts of information uncovered by the Human Genome Project, many others are working on ways to limit the potentially negative impact of decoding the human genome.
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