Biotechnology and the Human Genome

This book is based on the proceedings of the Science Writers Workshop on "Biotechnology and the Human Genome: Innovations and Impacts" held at the Brookhaven National Laboratory on September 14-16, 1987. The aim of this workshop which was sponsored by the Office of Health and Environmental Research of the Department of Energy (DOE) was to provide a forum in which science writers, reporters and other interested individuals could gain a firsthand knowledge about the scope and direction of the human genome initi- ative and its supportive technologies. The speakers were leaders working in scientific disciplines that are either integral parts of the Department's genome project or that represent important ancillary science. The Department of Energy's human genome initiative is a logical ex- tension of its long term commitment to investigating genetic damage from exposures to radiations and energy-related chemicals. It will exploit comp- utational, engineering and biological capabilities within and as well as outside the DOE national laboratories to develop the technologies and re- sources which will lead to a complete description of the human genome at the molecular level. Knowledge of the entire human genetic map and the genomic sequence will allow investigators to more rapidly and effectively identify genes involved in genetic diseases, individual variabilities including radi- ation sensitivities, and physiological processes, as well as to make unpre- cedented inroads into evolutionary relationships.