Human Genome Project: Purpose And Implications

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Purpose and Implications
Background
During the 1990s, research began with human genes to improve prevention, treatment, and discover cures for various diseases. Known as the Human Genome Project, extraordinary research began throughout the United States, which was coordinated by the U.S Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health. Completed in 2003, the project identified an estimated 25,000 genes and 3 billion base pairs in the DNA of an entire human genome as well as new tools for genetic data analysis and storage, addressing the inherent ethical legal, and social issues involved with the study of genetics, and transferring newly developed technologies to the private sector. This became an international effort where researchers
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Current research is focusing on the hereditary of breast and ovarian cancer and how to prevent the cancers from forming or detecting them in the early stages. Researches exploring those identified as being at risk for breast cancer and ovarian cancer are choosing to undergo testing, how they respond to the results, engage in prevention or screening, and decision they make for the future. Upon a study focusing on 321 women who tested positive for genes presenting risks with breast and ovarian cancer, it was found seventy percent of women chose to take actions to prevent such cancers with increasing the number of screens, surgical options, and hormone therapy to slow the process. This in turn helps prove genomes can help save lives in the future and prevent suffering from such cancers. With this nurses can help provide patients with education regarding specific options and help listen to their concerns of the present and future health issues (Bingham, …show more content…
This in turn allows clinicians the opportunity to diagnose diseases, predict potential diseases, provide earlier intervention, and identify new treatment regimens, and address safety and effectiveness of drug therapy based on the genomic information. With such advances, advance care practitioners need to be properly trained as well as new policies and procedures developed as new research continues to unfold. By using personal medicine, patients are able to make informed decisions regarding interventions in their care. For example, women who test positive for the genes linked to breast cancer, should have the options of taking action to prevent the cancer such as having a double mastectomy or not treat the unknown until something develops. While still in the early phases, personalized medicine with the knowledge of ones genetic makeup can alter a person’s future health. With this nurses can help provide patients with education regarding specific options and help listen to their concerns of the present and future health issues (Chadwell,