So, what is a human genome and why is the government researching it? The human genome is the sequence of approximately 20,000 genes that make up human deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), the building blocks that tell cells what to do. The government project called the Human Genome Project (HGP) began in the 1990s and is trying to unravel the 3 billion chemical base pairs in a strand of DNA (http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub /physician-resources/ medical-science/genetics-molecular-medicine/current-topics/human-genome.shtml.) DNA is made up of phosphates, sugars and amino acids, adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C ) and guanine (G). Each amino acid is paired with its opposite, A is always paired with T and C with G. These pairings in a specific order create codes that cells use as instructions to make proteins that perform specific functions in cells. The goal of the HGP is to identify all the genes in human DNA, store the information in a database, while improving the tools used to sequence DNA (Toriello, p. 15-28). The project must also address the ethical issues that arise from these experiments. In 2003, after 13 years, an entire strand of DNA was decoded. Of course, every person's DNA is unique, with the exception of identical twins, so there is still a lot of work to be done to make this technology useful in everyday life. Once a strand of DNA has been sequenced there are many ways to use the information found in it. It. One possibility is to find out which genes influence the development of diseases, such as cancer, deformities or Alzheimer's, to name a few. If you know you have the gene on chromosome 19 linked to Alzheimer's, there may be ways to treat the disorder early, slow its progress, or even prevent it. At least the family can prepare for the... medium of paper... that mistakenly destroys our world. Works Cited Puck, Jennifer, Malech and Harry. National Institute for Research on the Human Genome, Section of Genetics and Molecular Biology. January 31, 2006. January 1, 2010. https://www.123HelpMe.com/view.asp?id=154080.Human Genome. 1995. American Medical Association. January 1, 2010. http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/phycian-resources/medical-science/genetics-molecular-medicine/current-topics/human-genome.shtmlCarroll, Sean. Creating the most suitable. New York: Julia Druskin, 2006. Nicolson, Cynthia. Baa. Toronto: Kids Can Press Ltd, 2001. Gralla, Jay. Understanding cloning. Indianapolis: Marie Butler-Knight, 2004. Walker, Richard. Genes and DNA. Boston: Kingfisher, 2003. Toriello, James. The human genome project. New York: Rosen Publishing Group, 2003. Fridell, Ron. Genetic engineering. Minneapolis: Lerner Publishing Company, 2006.