Scientists completing a `genetic blueprint'

A project to map the entire human genetic blueprint may be completed ahead of schedule after a new impetus in recent months and increased collaboration between 20 laboratories around the world, according to a leading geneticist contributing to the project, Dr David Bentley of the Sanger Centre, Cambridge.

At the first meeting of the Irish Society of Human Genetics, Dr Bentley said the project would bring new gene therapies, better targeted and less costly drug treatments and significant improvements in treatment of the biggest killer diseases, cancer and heart disease.

While he had some concerns about people seeking commercial gain from the research, he said, this threat was being reduced by the extent of international pooling of information. There had not been as much "proprietary protection" and taking out of patents as some had feared, he said. Most participants, including industrial interests, were working together in a "pre-competitive" mode.

A tremendous boost had come recently through increased finance on both sides of the Atlantic, with funding over the past six months which would ensure the project was completed, Dr Bentley said in Dublin.

Those involved were completing plans to have a working draft of "the ultimate description of the human genetic code, the blueprint of man" as early as 2001. The complete code is due to be completed by 2005.

This he described as "a dictionary". It could take a further hundred years to make it into an encyclopaedia.

He said the potential from such information was so great that many wanted the draft today. But continuing international co-operation would mean "there will be a tremendous pooling of information in 2001", and because of accelerating work the entire project may be completed ahead of schedule.

Many initiatives would flow from the availability of the human genome. Initially, it looked as if the identification of genetic "snips", known as polymorphisms, would be used to counteract genetic diseases in the human population, he added. This approach would maximise the benefits of the research.

Dr Bentley said knowing the genes would mean that treatments would be better targeted. Equally, a clearer definition would be possible between the role of genes and environment in disease.

"This will lead to tremendous economies on health spending," he added. While there were obvious benefits, it was up to the public to take collective responsibility for the information with the scientists, doctors and governments to ensure it was used wisely and not taken down the road of eugenics or inappropriate use of genetic profiles.