Subject: Editorial:  Chromosome Cartography
Date: Published: 3/16/89 (91 lines)
Source:  Wall Street Journal.  Copyright Dow Jones & Co. Inc. 

    REVIEW & OUTLOOK (Editorial):  
    Chromosome Cartography

    Biotechnology today affords us the potential to offer
 humankind relief from the scourge of many diseases and
 infirmities.  The techniques of gene identification,
 separation and splicing now allow us to discover the basic
 causes of ailments and, thus, to progress toward cures and
 even precursory treatments that might ward off the onset of
 illness ranging from cancer to heart disease and AIDS. 
    What is lacking is a blueprint -- a map of the human
 genome.  Without that blueprint, genetic engineers will make
 progress, but it's generally agreed that progress will come
 faster if they have before them a full genetic diagram.  The
 United States is close to committing itself to the awesome
 task of creating that diagram.
    The National Academy of Sciences estimates that $3 billion
 will be required over the next 10 to 15 years to map the
 human genome.  Last year, the federal government provided only
 $29 million to finance research into mapping the genome.  The
 new Bush budget, however, calls for funding of about $100
 million for what has come to be known as the Human Genome
 Initiative.
    The human genome is complex.  The body contains
 approximately 10 trillion cells.  Each cell contains 46
 chromosomes, arranged in a double helix of 23 pairs
 resembling two, intertwined spiral staircases.  Each
 chromosome contains a strand of DNA to encode the genes.
    On all the chromosomes, there are between 50,000 and
 100,000 genes encoding information that controls human growth
 and accounts for everything from hair and eye color to some
 aspects of personality and proneness to certain diseases,
 such as cystic fibrosis.
    Among the chromosomes scheduled for initial exploration,
 for instance, is the 21st chromosome because it is believed
 to be linked to Alzheimer's disease and Down's syndrome.  All
 the body's genes together make up the human genome.
 Microbiologists need to know the sequence of the estimated
 three billion DNA subunits; so far, only about 1,500 human
 genes have been identified.
    The project, of course, is not without risks.  For
 starters, it remains to be seen whether Congress will forgo
 some of its treasured, redundant pork-barrel spending to
 support the enterprise.
    Ethicists are worrying that such knowledge will exacerbate
 prejudices against individuals with "non-normal" genes, such
 as the handicapped or some unborn infants.  Surely an
 intelligent society should be able to cope with these issues
 while it pursues useful knowledge.
    David Baltimore, a renowned MIT biologist, raises a more
 practical concern:  "Megaprojects are inviting targets for the
 political control of science."  Dr. Baltimore is obviously
 correct.  Indeed, the idea of mapping the human genome is
 already under political pressure in Europe.  Germany, Britain,
 Italy and France all have individual genome programs planned
 or under way.  But criticism of the idea centers on the plans
 of the European Commission, in Brussels, which wants to spend
 $17 million on coordination efforts, including liaison with
 the U. S. project.
    Some members of the European Parliament are already saying
 that the project isn't being sufficiently regulated, that
 there are all sorts of questions to answer concerning ethics
 and "misuse" that ought to be answered before it proceeds.
 This, of course, is a formula for making no progress at all.
    While the opposition in Europe may use regulatory
 overreach to achieve its goals, the weapon of choice in the
 U. S. has been the anti-biotech lawsuit and anti-science scare
 campaigns.  This combination has slowed several significant
 biotech experiments and entangled federal officials in their
 own regulations.
    American scientists eventually are going to have to step
 up to this battle.  Up to now, they have been content to stay
 in their labs, while in the world outside, science
 demagogues, press agents and Members of Congress have
 frightened enough people to create significant problems for
 scientific progress in the U. S. Witness the destructive
 opposition to experimentation in animal subjects.
    The Human Genome Initiative will be a strong test of the
 U. S. 's ability to shape and implement science policy.  It may
 well invite attack from those who are fearful of or hostile
 to the future.  It should also attract the active support of
 those willing to defend the future.

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