Iceland's Genetic Project

It is most likely that you have heard or are somewhat familiar with the Human Genome Project (HGP). This project started in 1984, and through the course of it, over 3 billion dollars have been spent. With over hundreds of scientists and in the period of twenty years, by 2003, the project became completed, but this is where the real work starts. What was written from this research is a encrypted series of letters and since 2003, scientists are working tirelessly to translate what these letters mean. The goal of the HGP is to trace back human evolution and its link and root to disease.

So, what exactly is a genome? It is the vast collection of genes inside of you that make you, you. Everybody's genetic makeup is unique from one another, but at the same time, our DNA with other human beings is 99% alike. Genes are made up of DNA, which are then made up of paired strains of adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine nucleobases. Adenine always pairs with thymine and cytosine always pairs with guanine, forming the shape of the double helix.

This formula is started the moment the egg is fertilized and pretty soon, this formula will be found within every cell of the body, These cells then form tissues, tissues form organs, and organs form an organism. The HGP has opened various opportunities across the world, especially the creation of ancestry and genomic companies and the creation of specialized jobs such as genetic engineering and genetic counselling. Genetic engineers find specific genes that like to disease and genetic counselors help people understand and become aware of the disease, and provide ways to treat it. Down syndrome, for example, occurs when there is an extra number 21 chromosome, rather than the usual two chromosomes. The mutation of this gene causes poor fertility, physical characteristics such as a short neck and a short stature, poor muscle tone, potential to come in contact with various life- threatening diseases, and a shorter life span. Due to technology, Down syndrome can be detectable during a mother's pregnancy. If the mother chooses to give birth to the child, the child is then screened constantly the first few years of his/her life (for heart disease and cognitive development).  

This week's headline takes place in Iceland. Because each population of the world has a distinct set of genetic disorders (Africa, for example, suffers from sickle-cell anemia), Iceland is able to piece  together a genetic picture that has helped scientists identify rare gene variants associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other medical problems. There were four studies conducted. The first study involved 106,856 people to identify over 20 million genetic variants and it was found that the ABCA7 gene is directly related to liver disease. The second study involved examining this gene even further and it was found that six out of the eight mutations caused from this gene exists in populations of Europe and America. The third study examined 8,041 people who have a recessive ABCA7 gene, with 1,171 of the participants having a "knock-out" genes. This is important to note because if genes are knocked out, especially those in the brain, it can cause sever repercussions such as color blindness. The final study  included 753 men from 274 related backgrounds, and from examining their genetic makeup, it was concluded that the most common human ancestor of Y chromosome, existed approximately 174,000-321,000 years ago, getting scientists closer to discovering the origins of humans.