Human Genome Project

Human Genome Project

Stated Goals of HGP identify all the approximately 20,000-25,000 genes in human DNA, determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA, store this information in databases, improve tools for data analysis, transfer related technologies to the private sector, and address the ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) that may arise from the project.

identify all the approximately 20,000-25,000 genes in human DNA,

determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA,

store this information in databases,

improve tools for data analysis,

transfer related technologies to the private sector, and

address the ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) that may arise from the project.

Ethical, Legal and Social Issues Fairness in the use of genetic information Privacy and confidentiality Psychological impact and stigmatization Reproductive issues Clinical issues Conceptual and philosophical implications Health and environmental issues Commercialization of products

Fairness in the use of genetic information

Privacy and confidentiality

Psychological impact and stigmatization

Reproductive issues

Clinical issues

Conceptual and philosophical implications

Health and environmental issues

Commercialization of products

Conceptual and philosophical implications Do people's genes make them behave in a particular way? Can people always control their behavior? What is considered acceptable diversity? Where is the line between medical treatment and enhancement?

Do people's genes make them behave in a particular way?

Can people always control their behavior?

What is considered acceptable diversity?

Where is the line between medical treatment and enhancement?

Human Monogamy Gene

Voles and Behavior Prarie Voles and Montane Voles Pair Bonding and the brain Genetic component

Prarie Voles and Montane Voles

Pair Bonding and the brain

Genetic component

Vasopressin in the Vole Brain Prairie Montane

Researchers Say: "influence of AVP on pair-bonding in voles may be of relevance also for humans," although the "relatively small effect size ... clearly does not mean that this polymorphism may serve as a predictor of human pair-bonding on the individual level.“ "it's possible to have the gene variant but not have the marital difficulties," and vice versa. "Human relationships are so complicated," Parens is paraphrased as saying, "that the effect of any one gene would be very small ."

"influence of AVP on pair-bonding in voles may be of relevance also for humans," although the "relatively small effect size ... clearly does not mean that this polymorphism may serve as a predictor of human pair-bonding on the individual level.“

"it's possible to have the gene variant but not have the marital difficulties," and vice versa. "Human relationships are so complicated," Parens is paraphrased as saying, "that the effect of any one gene would be very small ."

The Popular Media Says: "Whether a man has one type of gene versus another could help decide whether he's good 'husband material,'" announces HealthDay News . "Marriage problems? Husband's genes may be to blame," says a Reuters headline writer. "Marital woes can often be attributed to men's genetic make-up," declares Agence-France Press . "What if you could tell whether a man is husband material just by peering at his genes?" wonders New Scientist .

"Whether a man has one type of gene versus another could help decide whether he's good 'husband material,'" announces HealthDay News .

"Marriage problems? Husband's genes may be to blame," says a Reuters headline writer.

"Marital woes can often be attributed to men's genetic make-up," declares Agence-France Press .

"What if you could tell whether a man is husband material just by peering at his genes?" wonders New Scientist .

Speculation on the “Divorce Gene” "raises the highly speculative possibility that scientists could one day develop drugs to target the gene in an attempt to prevent marriages from falling apart.“ Telegraph

"raises the highly speculative possibility that scientists could one day develop drugs to target the gene in an attempt to prevent marriages from falling apart.“

Telegraph