Background

The Human Genome Project (HGP) is an international research coalition, funded by the National Institute of Health, the Department of Energy, and the private firm, Celera Genomics. The goals of the HGP are to determine the complete nucleotide sequence of human DNA and other important model research organisms, commonly used to understand genetic mechanisms, including the mouse, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, the bacterium Escherichia coli, and the zebra fish Danio rerio. James Watson and Francis Crick's discovery of the double helical structure of DNA in 1957 represents the HGP's informal inception. The culmination of the HGP occurred in February 2001 with the publication of the first draft sequence in Science and Nature magazines. Many believe the genetic technologies emerging in the wake of the HGP will transform all domains of medicine, including our understanding of the sources of illness, disease prevention, diagnostics treatment, and the development of targeted drugs. Many have also identified certain challenges to justice that may come into focus as a result of the HGP. Which populations will have access to genetic technologies? Do individuals have a right to privacy with respect to sharing genetic information? Is it ethical to alter human gene sequences? These topics have been addressed elsewhere. Here, I will discuss the implications of the HGP in terms of another challenge to justice: the glaring disparities in health between certain racialized segments of the U.S. population (see 'selected topics').

This page created by Margaret Seater