Tech: The Human Genome Project didn’t cure cancer after all, guys
- $3
billion amount that was spent to decode the human genome, a project finished a decade ago - not
much the project’s benefit to the medical world since then (its original selling point) source
- » Clarification: While the completion of the Human Genome Project led to Bill Clinton saying that it will “revolutionize the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of most, if not all, human diseases,” it hasn’t led to direct cures but perhaps more informed answers. It’s becoming clear to some that rare variants, not common genes, are likely the cause of many diseases. Meaning it’s not a silver bullet but a definite starting point. “Genomics is a way to do science, not medicine,” said Harold Varmus, the incoming chair of the National Cancer Institute.
