The Human Genome Project: an overview of ethical issues and public policy concerns

The possibilities of advancement from the Human Genome Project seem endless. But even though we are amazingly similar genetically to other animals, including the mouse, we are uniquely human. And our humanness is our greatest gift. The knowledge of genetic linkages and of how life works does not diminish our religious beliefs or our value system. Understanding the mechanics of human physiology does not decrease the power and beauty of human life. Quite the contrary, this knowledge helps to chart the course in a quest to understand what it means to be human. Let us honor the beauty and uniqueness of human life by making ethically sound decisions surrounding the advances made in this fantastic journey called the Human Genome Project.