Dolly Out, Human Genome In... 
Under the heading Scary Science
Ricki Lewis / The Scientist 14[22]:30, 13nov00

Since the staged June 26 unveiling of the "working draft" of the human genome sequence, National Human Genome Research Institute director Francis Collins has hit the meeting circuit, not to hype what was, but to get people thinking about where it is all headed. He spoke to a packed audience at the National Association of Biology Teachers annual conference in Orlando Oct. 25-28 on "the golden path"--the search among the 3 billion bases to distinguish protein-encoding genes from repeats, determine gene density, and to perhaps learn exactly what most of human genetic material actually does. Collins previewed a kit for teachers, "The Human Genome Project: Exploring Our Molecular Selves," which will include a video, CD-ROM, poster, and manual, timed for release with publication of a major manuscript detailing the sequencing effort in January 2001. The video, featuring James Watson and Francis Crick and many other luminaries, has a decidedly evolutionary focus, presenting the big picture.

"We are just another species on this planet. A very small species. We sprung from 10,000 or so people in Africa about 100,000 years ago," Collins said. This emphasis may help to balance what students glean from the media, which isn't always positive.

A Time/CNN poll, Collins recounted, found that 46 percent of respondents thought the human genome project would be harmful, yet 61 percent would like genetic information about personal future disease risk.

"Something's not right here. Most people who responded are not at all clear what the project is. They lump anything with 'gen' as the human genome project--gene therapy, GM foods, cloning--it's all the same thing. Reporters don't always get it straight either," he said. But one item in the press did tickle Collins' fancy: a listing in the September issue of Vanity Fair of what is "in" and "out." As Collins described it:

"Under the heading 'scary science,' Dolly was out, and the human genome project in.

We've replaced Dolly as the icon of scary science! So boy, do we need help--and that's where teachers come in."