Anna Oda
November 4, 98

This article is about the gene map, which is sequencing of the human genes, and the map may be completed in near future. The federal researchers announced that they may finish drawing the gene map by 2003. However, in the private project, the researchers also gave a prediction which is ahead of the federal prediction. The private project uses a different technical skill from the federal researchers. Finding out about sequencing of the all human genes will help to cure cancer, inherited disorders and some diseases. Additionally, another study found the gene structure of Chlamydia which is a sexually transmitted disease.

I have often heard of gene recombination lately. I am impressed with progress of science but I am worried that it might change the natural order. I wanted to know how the field is going and then I found this article. I think this article does not really have to have the study of the gene structure for Chlamydia trachomtis. Although the study relate to genes, the content is different from the gene map. I wonder how they found the function of genes. I can hardly imagine the field. According to this article, we could live longer. However, I am worried that the study might break the natural order as I said before. They might find out the way we could live forever. Of course, I would be very happy if my friends or family lived forever but the earth is limited. A natural human dies someday so it is in the natural order. If somebody found that we can live forever, nobody would want to die. Human abilities are getting close to controlling the natural order and I am not sure this is only a good thing.

1.lag(verb): to move or develop more slowly than other thing or people
lag(noun)
" Even if the prediction by Collins and others is correct, the federal project still may lag behind a private effort. "

2. precision(adj.): being very exact
precision(noun)
precise(verb) " -, it was forming a partnership with Perkin-Elmer, a company that deals in high technology and precision scientific instruments. "

3. exclusive(adj.): used by only one person or group and not shared
exclusively(adv.)
exclusive(noun)
" Genes discovered by Venter and his group could be reserved briefly for exclusive use by the firms,- "

4. inherit(verb): to receive something from someone after s/he died
inheritance(noun)
inheritable(adj.)
" Identifying all the human genes will make it possible to attack cancer, inherited disorders and some diseases in new ways, experts say. "

5. diagnose(verb): to find out what illness a person has or what is wrong with something diagnoses(noun)
diagnostic(adj.)
" -, said sequencing the gene structure of Chlamydia will help scientists develop a vaccine and find better ways of diagnosing the disease. "

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