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Scientists Ready to Announce Completion of Human Genome Map

Aired June 23, 2000 - 1:10 p.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

LOU WATERS, CNN ANCHOR: CNN has learned that scientists are ready to announce a major breakthrough in genetic science. Government and private research teams have completed a 10-year effort to map the sequence of the human genome, a genetic code that accounts for our differences and our similarities as individual human beings. Experts say the information will be used to change the practice of medicine, creating new drugs and new forms of therapy.

The official announcements are expected on Monday, but CNN medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen is with us now to tell us what we know already.

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, what we know already is actually very basic. So, what we know now is just the sequences of the chemical bases that make our DNA. And really, that's very basic science. And it's not going to come in handy to any of us today or tomorrow. You won't be reaping the benefits this genetic information any time soon.

However, this could make a big difference in when you go to your doctor. The vision is that, 10 years from now, they'll be able to swab the inside of your cheek, and they'll be able to look at it and say: You know, you have a particular predisposition to this kind of heart disease, and we should start giving you medicines now to prevent you from getting sick later.

WATERS: So, you're telling me I won't be able to go down to my doctor and get my genome mapped right away.

COHEN: No, you can't get your genome mapped tomorrow. Sorry to tell you that.

WATERS: Now, with a breakthrough like -- this has been mentioned as the medical equivalent of man walking on the moon.

Are there some abuses that scientists fear might come of this?

COHEN: Absolutely. Ethicists have been studying this question for a long time now. Because this information is extremely valuable, but it also could be damaging. For example, what happens if your employer finds out that you have a genetic predisposition to sudden cardiac death, and you could just drop dead at any moment -- or you have a high risk of dropping dead at any moment. Are they still going to want to employ you? Is your insurance company still going to want to cover you?

You could become a very expensive risk. So, it's -- the information could actually haunt you as well as help you.

WATERS: So, this is like the technology revolution, I imagine, the Congress will have to get involved. Some laws will have to be passed in order to...

COHEN: That's right. People have tossed around the idea of having rules that would protect your genetic history. And nothing has really moved ahead in that area yet. But lots of people feel that there should be rules and regulations that will protect you from genetic discrimination.

WATERS: All right, we'll talk more about this on Monday. That will give us the weekend to mull this over.

COHEN: Mull it all over.

WATERS: All right, Elizabeth Cohen from our medical unit.

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