It is the golden anniversary of the discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA and this is certainly an event worth celebrating. Over 2,000 scientists descended on Melbourne a few days ago to talk genetics to each other, describe their new findings and to enlighten the world about the most recent advances and future relevance of the genetic revolution.

It was a veritable jamboree where the best brains in the scientific world pick each other, so to speak, where ideas fly and controversies are not unknown. Among the star performers one could find half a dozen Nobel Prize winners, including James Watson, who was the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, Sydney Brenner, Peter McCullough, Sir John Sulston and others.

There is no doubt that the most exciting advances in science today relate to the outstanding success the scientists have had in understanding the very basic structure of life.

The bubbling excitement is primarily a direct result of the applications of this research to solve problems relating to medicine, already very much evident in the diagnostic field, but soon to be applied to therapy.

Francis Collins emphasised this point: by 2020, he said, we expect to have gene-based designer drugs for cancer, diabetes, asthma, Alzheimer's and other major diseases.

While this appears to be an optimistic exaggeration today, one need only look at the track record over the past decade to become convinced that, with the current rate of accumulation of knowledge, nothing seems to be beyond belief.

Among the most obvious advances in recent years, we may include the finding of genes for Alzheimer's disease, breast cancer, Huntington's disease and hundreds of rare genetic diseases.

New technologies, including DNA chip technology, has made screening for hundreds of genes a very simple affair, enabling rapid diagnostic tests to be introduced.

Other techniques involve "proteinomics", which analyses the protein pattern (produced through DNA coding), and most recently the technique of RNA interference - a technique which allows the switching off of specific genes.

Some scientists are even suggesting that for a mere Lm400 it will soon be possible to analyse the whole sequence of DNA from an individual, a sort of unique blueprint which one could carry around in a microchip and which could eventually determine individualised treatment.

Among the various programmes currently being undertaken, perhaps five stand out conspicuously:

¤ The HapMap project: an international project begun last year costing some $100 million, aimed at identifying DNA from all populations and with which diseased genes could be compared.

¤ Genome comparison: comparing the genomes of many species to identify regions of identity and difference.

¤ Drug development: which involves looking for drugs that have specific action against disease-causing genes.

¤ Healthy genes: involves the search for genes from healthy people which seem to protect against cancer and other diseases.

¤ Individual genome analysis: which will provide an individual blueprint of DNA.

Perhaps the most challenging problem of all is to understand the biological basis of the human mind and consciousness itself, that final definer of what is a human being.

Nobel Prize winner Sir John Sulston remarked that the brain, like the rest of the body, is also a machine, an extremely complex apparatus which he sees as the next frontier to be breached.

"It is understanding that computational process, which is based on our genes, but not directly defined by them, that I mean as the next big frontier."

He added, however, that caution was necessary. Such an understanding could be "thought of as being a devastatingly destructive step - to really understand what the self is".

Some progress in this area is already emerging. Susumu Tenegawa, Nobel Prize winner for his genetic discoveries relating to the immune system, spoke about his recent discovery of the chemical pathway in the brain which he believes is a major cause of schizophrenia.

The need for caution could be felt underlying this frenzy of activity. As in any community involving a large number of people, one can find those who may choose not to abide by the standards that regulate the profession.

In the words of Richard Jefferson: "There are people abusing the norms of science. They are the bad guys and they need to be shamed".

Already in the US genetic engineering is offering couples the option of designing their babies in such a way to express particular characteristics, including good looks, intelligence, blue eyes etc. all inclusive for a fee of $50,000.

The biggest threat to science, says Sir John, was posed by privatisation. Greed to protect patents relating the human genome in the hope of massive financial gains can reduce the availability of such knowledge for research.

Dr Collins, a devout Christian himself, expressed concern about discoveries relating to the genetic basis of behaviour because this could be a cause of discrimination between individuals.

He said: "I'm concerned in the sense that I don't think we have arrived yet at a social consensus about how this information should best be used". He called for more guidance on ethical issues raised by science.

It is impossible to summarise a week's conference in a report. Whether we agree with all these advances or see them merely as a threat, it is a fact that we cannot ignore them and it behoves us to keep in touch with these advances, not merely to be informed members of society but, perhaps more importantly, to ensure that objections that need to be raised are made audible and effective.

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