SBI3U
A Decade of the Human Genome
BBC Documentary “A Decade of the Human Genome” on YouTube
Background Information
The human genome project involved sequencing an entire human genome (the genetic code contained in all
46 chromosomes). It began in 1990 and was completed in 2003.
1. What is Sophie’s genetic disorder?
Cystic Fibrosis
2. What is the regime that keeps Sophie alive?
A combination of physiotherapy and drugs
3. What is the average life expectancy of a person with Cystic Fibrosis?
38 years
4. What is the breast cancer gene called?
BRCA1
5. What do Sophie, Emma and Tom hope for?
That the human genome project will help doctors to find cures or better treatments for their diseases.
6. The human genome has been printed and put into a series of books. How many volumes are there and
how many pages in each volume?
More than 100 volumes and each has 1000’s of pages
7. How many genes are in the human genome?
28000
8. Which gene causes Cystic Fibrosis? How many nitrogenous bases (letters) are in this gene?
The CFTR gene which contains 4 nitrogenous bases
9. What is the idea behind gene therapy?
1) Identify a single mutated gene
2) Insert a healthy gene
10. How was Reese treated?
His bone marrow was mixed with copies of the healthy gene
11. Scientists are at work sequencing genes from cancer cells. How can this help to find a cure?
The genome from a cancer cell and a healthy cell from the same person can be compared and the
differences can be identified which can lead to determining a cure.
12. How long did the human genome project take?
About 10 years
SBI3U
13. How long does it take to sequence a human genome now?
3 weeks
14. What does Tom order from the internet?
A kit for testing for the alcoholism gene
15. What does Tom have to put in the vial to be tested?
Saliva
16. What is the goal for gene therapy?
To treat fetuses in utero so they never develop disease.
17. How can the scientist tell if the gene transfer into the mouse has been a success?
The fluorescence gene from a jellyfish was also inserted to make the mouse glow if the gene has been
transferred successfully.
18. How is the human genome project helping doctors to determine a cure for cancer?
It can help create a targeted cure based on the individual’s specific cancer and genetics.
19. What percent of alcoholism is controlled by an individual’s genes?
50%
20. How long does it take for a treatment to go from an idea to a trial to a doctor’s cabinet?
21. Why are lungs resistant to gene therapy?
Because lungs have a very large surface area and they have evolved to keep out contaminants
22. How does chemotherapy work?
It kills cells that are growing fast such as hair, in the gut and blood.
SBI3U
A Decade of the Human Genome
BBC Documentary “A Decade of the Human Genome” on YouTube
Background Information
The human genome project involved sequencing an entire human genome (the genetic code contained in all
46 chromosomes). It began in 1990 and was completed in 2003.
1. What is Sophie’s genetic disorder?
2. What is the regime that keeps Sophie alive?
3. What is the average life expectancy of a person with Cystic Fibrosis?
4. What is the breast cancer gene called?
5. What do Sophie, Emma and Tom hope for?
6. The human genome has been printed and put into a series of books. How many volumes are there and
how many pages in each volume?
7. How many genes are in the human genome?
8. Which gene causes Cystic Fibrosis? How many nitrogenous bases (letters) are in this gene?
9. What is the idea behind gene therapy?
10. How was Reese treated?
11. Scientists are at work sequencing genes from cancer cells. How can this help to find a cure?
12. How long did the human genome project take?
13. How long does it take to sequence a human genome now?
SBI3U
14. What does Tom order from the internet?
15. What does Tom have to put in the vial to be tested?
16. What is the goal for gene therapy?
17. How can the scientist tell if the gene transfer into the mouse has been a success?
18. How is the human genome project helping doctors to determine a cure for cancer?
19. What percent of alcoholism is controlled by an individual’s genes?
20. How long does it take for a treatment to go from an idea to a trial to a doctor’s cabinet?
21. Why are lungs resistant to gene therapy?
22. How does chemotherapy work?