Mapping the Cancer Genome

Title of Article: Mapping the Cancer Genome
Authors: Francis S. Collins and Anna D. Barker
Source: Scientific American Special Edition
Date Published: February 2007
Date Obtained: February 22 2009



Mapping the Cancer Genome pertains to the Molecular Genetics Unit of Study

Link to the Article: http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=mapping-the-cancer-genome

Summary of the Article:

Mapping the Cancer Genome is an article about The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and the potential implications of sequencing the genome of every type of cancer. TCGA's goal is to sequence "cancer's" genome, and compare it with that of a healthy human being, which was provided by the human genome project. For now, the project has its eyes set on the 50 most common types of cancer; the equivalent of ten thousand human genome projects. The idea behind sequencing every possible type of cancer is to find out which gene mutations are causing the disease. This concept has already shown positive results; a gene called B-RAF was found to be mutated in seventy percent of examined melanoma cases. Once a mutated gene is identified as the cancer causing agent, it can be manipulated to restrict the outbreak of the disease (as mentioned in the previous blog entry). TCGA is hopeful that every type of cancer can be sequenced some time in the future, and become available to researchers around the world.

While reading this article, I learned why there can be no definitive "cure" for cancer. Cancer comes in so many different forms, and each of these can be caused by several different combinations of gene mutations. A malignant lung tumor can be caused by a defective gene "X" in one person, and a completely different gene defect; "Y" in another. I think that this initiative is a crucial step in understanding, and ultimately eliminating cancer. If sometime in the distant future, "Cancer's" entire genome is mapped, it may serve as a guidebook for eliminating this rampant disease. The ethical issue surrounding this project is whether or not the immense cost is worth the uncertain outcome. The project is riddled with challenges and ethical policy dilemmas. Once cells become cancerous they are prone to even greater mutation, resulting in the possible variation of genomic makeup of cells within the same tumor, and a harder time sequencing. Also, the ethical issue of maintaining the confidentiality of patient information arises. Even with these possible setbacks, I believe that the prospect of a cure should be reason enough for the project to proceed.

A New Molecule of Life?

Title of Article: A New Molecule of Life?
Author: Peter E. Nielsen
Source: Scientific American
Date Published: December 2008
Date Obtained: February 22 2009

A New Molecule of Life? pertains to the Molecular Genetics Unit of Study


Link to the Article: http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=triple-helix-designing-a-new-molecule

Summary of the Article:

A New Molecule of Life? is an article surrounding PNA (peptide nucleic acid); a synthetic molecule with the potential to promote and inhibit genes, regulating the production of proteins. PNA is a nucleic acid that enters DNA's major groove to form a triple-stranded structure. This molecule can attach itself to a gene, and either prevent the RNA polymerase from transcribing the gene, or promote transcription by exposing some of the single-stranded DNA to transcription-initiating enzymes. This action can be very useful as a gene therapy in patients who are producing too much, or not enough of a certain protein. Another prospect of this mysterious molecule is the creation of artificial life. All of the organisms on earth are based on DNA and RNA, so the idea of creating life with only PNA is very intriguing to scientists. The major problem with this idea is that because the PNA is so stable, it is very difficult for it to split into two daughter strands.

In reading this article, I learned that DNA and RNA are not the only existing nucleic acids. They are the only natural ones, but many more synthetic/artificial nucleic acids have been discovered, including PNA. I think that the implementation of PNA into drugs that regulate gene expression will be a major advancement in the field of molecular genetics. This molecule has the potential to regulate the symptoms of many genetic diseases, a huge step forward in the lives of those affected by genetic diseases. The one ethical issue surrounding PNA is the use of this molecule to create artificial life. The results of such an experiment are anyone's guess, and even though an outcome is still very far in the distance, there are those who beleive humans are not supposed to be playing "God".

Weighing Risks Written in DNA

Title of Article: Weighing Risks Written in DNA
Author: Christine Soares
Source: Scientific American Body
Date Published: December 2007
Date Obtained: February 22 2009

Weighing Risks Written in DNA pertains to the Molecular Genetics Unit of Study


Link to the Article: http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=weighing-risks-written-in-dna

Summary of the Article:

Weighing Risks Written in DNA is an article about the Multiplex Initiative; a large scale study created to investigate people's reactions when provided with their very own genetic "report card". This study was created by the National Human Genome Research Institute, and their genetic "report card" consists of several gene variations that increase the subject's risk of being afflicted by major diseases. The purpose of the study is to see how people will react when they find out which diseases they are genetically predisposed to, and to see if they will act on the results by changing their lifestyle. The study consists of ten thousand potential participants who will be screened for fifteen genes associated with osteoporosis, lung and colorectal cancer, coronary artery disease, and melanoma. Another of the Institute's many concerns is whether or not the public will understand the results, as they can be very intimidating for the average person. By conducting this trial, researchers hope to find the best way of communicating this information to their subjects.

Before reading this article, I was under the impression that this service already existed. I had always thought that genetic information was ready for use by consumers, and not in the process of trials and studies. In reading this article, I learned that even though human DNA has been analyzed and mapped for years, it is not yet available for consumer use. The moral dilemma surrounding the use of this genetic information is whether or not consumers want to see the future, and what will ultimately lead to their demise. Some people believe that it is not our place to look into the future, and that life is meant to be a surprise, while others believe that if we know what diseases we are susceptible to, we can do all that we can to avoid and delay their onset. Personally, I believe that this information should be available to the public, and it is up to each individual to choose whether or not he or she will use it.

Getting to Know Nutraceuticals

Title of Article: Getting to Know Nutraceuticals
Author: Thomas Hayden
Source: Scientific American Body
Date Published: December 2007
Date Obtained: December 1^st 2008


Getting to Know Nutraceuticals pertains to the Metabolic Processes Unit of Study

Link to the Article: http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=getting-to-know-nutraceut

Summary of the Article:

Getting to Know Nutraceuticals is an article scrutinizing the health claims of four major nutraceuticals; Omega 3`s, Lycopene, Glucosamine, and Tofu. Although all four of these dietary supplements are claimed to be beneficial, only two of them are free of negative side effects. Clinical trials surrounding Omega 3`s have found that this nutraceutical effectively prevents cardiac attacks and deaths, but the claim that it reduces chances of stroke cannot be proven, as results were varied. Glucosamine was also attributed with positive results, combating the pain and cartilage destruction associated with osteoarthritis, however, a placebo yielded strikingly similar results. The other two subjects in this report were found to have adverse effects hidden from the general public. Lycopene, which is supposed to lower risk of prostate cancer, was found to actually increase the risk of aggressive prostate cancer in certain test subjects. Tofu, often regarded as the king of nutraceuticals, was also found to contain certain soy compounds that increase the risk of breast cancer.

In reading this article, I learned that oftentimes, health claims are lacking the scientific evidence needed to back them up. Dietary supplements are a multi-billion dollar a year industry, and many of these products have little or no scientific evidence to prove their claims. It can be very confusing to choose which, if any, dietary supplement is right for you. I learned that before buying, one should always research the effects of the nutraceutical they are considering to use. If nutraceuticals are put through a rigorous screening process before they are approved, it will be a significant advancement in this field. FDA regulations are very loose surrounding what information is placed on a bottle of pills, and this creates a deep ethical and moral issue. This information is supposed to supply the customer with valid facts backed up by scientific evidence, but it is often no more than a farfetched hunch, created with one simple goal; to make money.

Spice Healer

Title of Article: Spice Healer
Author: Gary Stix
Source: Scientific American
Date published: February 2007
Date obtained: December 1st 2008
Spice Healer pertains to the Metabolic Processes Unit of Study

Link to the Article: http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=spice-healer

Summary of the Article:

Spice Healer is an article investigating the effects of using curcumin, an ingredient found in curry, to treat diseases ranging from Alzheimer’s to cancer. This compound played a vital role in early Indian medicine, and was used to heal wounds, cleanse blood, and cure stomach ailments. Although most of the clinical trials surrounding curcumin and its effects have been performed on animals, they have yielded unprecedented results. This extraordinary spice targets malignant cells with such a diverse attack that it takes them a very long time to develop a resistance to it. M.D. Anderson (a widely renowned cancer institution) went as far as suggesting a dose of 8 grams of curcumin daily for cancer patients.

In my opinion, this article sheds light on a revolutionary new experimental treatment for diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer`s. This could be an enormous advancement in the field of cancer research, which is incessantly searching for a cure. As this treatment is yet to have experienced large scale clinical trials, its effects on humans are not yet confirmed. For M.D. Anderson to go ahead and suggest this treatment to all cancer patients is a very bold move, and one that could yield dire consequences. In reading this article, I have learned that some researchers are very quick to praise their own results, without always taking the necessary precautions to find out if their discovery (in this case curcumin) has any negative side-effects in human patients.

In the latter part of Spice Healer, there is a section surrounding the research of an Israeli scientist that suggests possible cancer-promoting effects of curcumin. Yosef Shaul found that in the cases of Myeloid leukemia, Colon cancer, and breast cancer, high doses of curcumin caused the degradation of a cancer-preventing protein. If this research is valid, then M.D. Anderson could have made a vital error, and raised an ethical issue, in suggesting this spice for all cancer patients, without having done any large scale clinical trials beforehand.