Officially completed in 2003, the Human Genome Project was an international research collaboration that sought to identify the 20,000 to 25,000 genes of the human genome, to map the sequence of those genes, and to make that information freely available for scientific research. While these goals were largely met, the Project simultaneously opened a tap from which a flood of ethical and legal questions poured.

For example, in 2013, knowledge derived from the Human Genome Project helped both to revive and put to rest issues related to the HeLa cell line. This cell line, derived from the tissue of a 1951 cancer patient without her consent or knowledge, was widely disseminated and has been in use for more than sixty years. This use was never without its ethical complexities. Still, when researchers who had benefited from knowledge gained through the Human Genome Project posted the HeLa genome online in 2013, the situation became even more complicated because, by making the descendants' genetic information known to all, scientists further violated privacy rights. The problem was solved by placing the information in a controlled-access database that ensured its availability to researchers, yet also limited it to specific terms of use.

In another case, the Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that naturally occurring DNA cannot be patented. Using information uncovered by the Human Genome Project, scientists and private companies have spent considerable resources extracting and sequencing human DNA that might help cure breast cancer and other diseases. The question arose of who owned such extracted DNA in which genes are encoded. In the same decision, the Court acknowledged the importance of private research by deciding that modified DNA sequences are patent eligible.

Consider all answer choices that apply.

What was significant about the Supreme Court's decision regarding DNA?

A. It repudiated some of the findings of the Human Genome Project.
B. It decided that companies could not patent naturally occurring DNA.
C. It decided ownership of human DNA.



The point of this passage is to

A. elucidate the timeline and sequence of accomplishments of the Human Genome Project.
B. detail two legal issues that arose as a result of findings of the Human Genome Project.
C. explain why the Human Genome Project continues to be an ethical minefield.
D. inform the reader about the purpose of the Human Genome Project and how it has changed international research.
E. delineate the conflict between private and public interest related to findings of the Human Genome Project.



Select the sentence in the passage that does NOT add support to the main idea.

A. The question arose of who owned such extracted DNA in which genes are encoded.
B. Still, when researchers who had benefited from knowledge gained through the Human Genome Project posted the HeLa genome online in 2013, the situation became even more complicated because, by making the descendants' genetic information known to all, scientists further violated privacy rights.
C. The problem was solved by placing the information in a controlled-access database that ensured its availability to researchers, yet also limited it to specific terms of use.
D. Officially completed in 2003, the Human Genome Project was an international research collaboration that sought to identify the 20,000 to 25,000 genes of the human genome, to identify the sequence of those genes, and to make that information freely available for scientific research
E. Using information uncovered by the Human Genome Project, scientists and private companies have spent considerable resources extracting and sequencing human DNA that might help cure breast cancer and other diseases.