\u201cGenome sharing is humanity\u2019s next radical collaboration,\u201d proclaimed Dr. David Haussler, scientific director of the UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute, and early contributor to The Genome Project.<\/p>\n
The Genome Project was a $3 billion, 15-year long international scientific research initiative with the goal of sequencing and identifying all three billion chemical units in the human genetic set, finding the genetic roots of disease, and then developing appropriate treatments. Widespread international cooperation paired with advances in the field of genomics and computing technology led to a published \u201crough draft\u201d of the human genome on June 26, 2000 with subsequent updated publications in later years.[1] The project formally concluded in 2003 and represents the world\u2019s largest collaborative biological project to date.[2]<\/p>\n
The benefits of genome mapping are vast and span a plethora of applications, including a better understanding and identification of diseases; design of medications and more accurate prediction of their effects; advancement in forensic applied sciences; biofuels and other energy applications; and agriculture.[3]<\/p>\n
These benefits can only occur when sequenced genomes are made available to researchers and end users via a shared platform. By accessing the human genome database, a user can review what other scientists have written about a particular gene, including its function(s), its evolutionary relationships to other human genes, possible detrimental mutations, interactions with other genes, body tissues in which this gene is activated, and diseases associated with this gene.[4] This open information sharing platform presents an unprecedented opportunity for the future precision of medicine and health.<\/p>\n
The importance of an open source channel for accessing this data cannot be overstated; as the database grows, the volume of insights that can be derived increases exponentially. While The Genome Project has formally concluded, many organizations are working to continue further data collection and maintain public access to this data for continued learning. The 性视界 Personal Genome Project (性视界 PGP) is one such initiative that has facilitated the collection of biological samples from an additional 5,000 participants to date.[5]<\/p>\n
As the 性视界 PGP seeks to expand the sample size and ensure public accessibility, some key factors must be considered for long term sustainability. A key short-term issue lies in mitigating privacy and security concerns for individuals who contribute their genetic data. Understanding the connection between an individual\u2019s traits and their genetic data is critical to ensuring accurate scientific understanding of the data, therefore anonymity of the individual contributors cannot be guaranteed. 性视界 PGP works diligently to educate contributors on the implications of making their data public and to articulate the valuable and lasting contribution to science and humanity that ensues.[5]<\/p>\n
Additionally, an ongoing dialogue exists to convince the whole health community of the benefits of sharing, as several private organizations have identified economic benefits from proprietary knowledge of the data and challenge the efforts to maintain public sharing.[6]<\/p>\n
In the long-term, 性视界 PGP is also working to develop a model system for collaboration between experts in the field of health care, public health, law, and education to maximize the possible applications outside of medicine. Another long-term priority of the 性视界 PGP is to diversify the data set, as different populations have significant phenotypic variations. Medicines affect various populations differently, and the vast majority of the mapped genomes are from American and European contributors.[7] This disparity limits the opportunity to apply findings to the worldwide community, and increases the risk of mistreatment for underrepresented populations in the mapped genome sample.<\/p>\n
Additional issues that these initiatives need to address in the short and medium terms are removing barriers for data contributors by facilitating simple collection procedures, accelerating cost reductions for genome mapping, and making the shared database more user-friendly.<\/p>\n
Lastly, important open questions remain with respect to the ethical dilemmas surrounding human genome sequencing. Could certain genomes be considered superior than others, and will that promote genetic \u201cunderclasses\u201d? Could widespread genetic discrimination result from employers and insurance companies? Will these technologies lead to embryonic intervention such as elective abortions or gene editing? If embryonic gene editing does result, should it be limited to life-threatening health conditions, or superficial physical characteristics such as height?<\/p>\n
While these social and ethical challenges exist, as a society we have to weigh the benefits against the potential perverse incentives and decide how to provide regulatory frameworks to mitigate them effectively.<\/p>\n
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1 The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, \u201cThe Human Genome Project: Benefiting all Humanity,” https:\/\/clintonwhitehouse4.archives.gov\/textonly\/WH\/new\/html\/20000315_3.html<\/a>, accessed November 2018.<\/p>\n 2 Simon Tripp, “Economic Impact of the Human Genome Project,” May 2011, https:\/\/www.battelle.org\/docs\/default-source\/misc\/battelle-2011-misc-economic-impact-human-genome-project.pdf<\/a>, accessed November 2018.<\/p>\n 3 National Human Genome Research Institute, \u201cAll About The Human Genome Project,\u201d https:\/\/www.genome.gov\/10001772\/all-about-the–human-genome-project-hgp\/<\/a>, accessed November 2018.<\/p>\n 4 Michael Snyder, “Personal Genome Sequencing: Current Approaches and Challenges,” http:\/\/genesdev.cshlp.org\/content\/24\/5\/423<\/a>, accessed November 2018.<\/p>\n 5 The 性视界 Personal Genome Project, \u201cAbout,\u201d https:\/\/pgp.med.harvard.edu\/about<\/a>, accessed November 2018.<\/p>\n 6 John Sulston, \u201cThe Common Thread: A Story of Science, Politics, Ethics and the Human Genome,\u201d October 2002, accessed November 2018.<\/p>\n