The number of deaths from genetic diseases, such as cancer and heart disease, might be reduced because of the completion of the Human Genome Project.
The project, an attempt to identify the sequence of all the approximate 30,000 genes in human DNA, was completed in April 2003, and might allow doctors and scientists to predict causes and risks of certain diseases.
Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, discussed the project and its implications when he addressed the MSU community Tuesday night at the Wharton Center. His speech was part of MSU President M. Peter McPherson's professorship program, which invites members of the scientific community to speak about important issues regarding science and technology.
"I thought it was very important to come to MSU to speak," Collins said. "MSU is a powerful institution of higher learning. The people here are leaders, and every chance I get to come here, listen to them and speak to them is worthwhile."
In 1990, scientists from 16 centers in six different countries began work on the Human Genome Project.
"It was like putting together a puzzle - but a very long and difficult one." Collins said.
Upon completion of the "puzzle" in 2003, scientists were able to provide the public with what Collins calls an " instruction book" to where every gene in the human body is placed. In his speech Collins addressed how this breakthrough can help scientists determine which genes are the perpetrators of certain diseases.
"Once we figured out the order of all the genes, we were able to compare that order with the order of genes in people who are infected with a disease," he said. "When we find a variance or misspelling in the DNA code of the person with the disease, we know which gene caused that disease."
This can help scientists determine who has a gene that might cause a disease.
"For instance, if we know a person's family history makes them susceptible to colon cancer, we can test their DNA for a misspelling," Collins said. "This could potentially save a person's life because it will give them enough time to partake in preventative measures."
Robert Pennock, a Lyman Briggs professor and member of the board that chose Collins to be a part of the professorship series, said the human genome project and Collins' work is an integral part of today's science.
"The work of the genome project was an important scientific breakthrough," Pennock said. "We were honored to have Dr. Collins here because the project he worked on did and will have a profound effect on future medicine and technology."
With many claiming that the genome project is one of the most important scientific undertakings of the time, some in attendance thought it was important to hear about the project from someone who helped make it a reality.
"I heard about the project in biology class," said premedical freshman Alexia Karanikas. "And in some dorky way, I was really interested in the field and the important findings Collins had to talk about."
