Human genome sequencing has been completed. What does this mean?

It is very interesting for humans to study their own genes, just like a program studying its own code.

However, human genes are much more complex than any program code, because human genes contain more than 3 billion base pairs, which is an extremely large number. However, we are pleased that the first step in exploring the mysteries of human genes has been achieved.

On March 31, a scientific research team led by American researchers announced the first complete and gapless human genome sequence. Six papers related to this major achievement were published in the American magazine Science on the same day. What does this mean? Does it mean that humans can be promoted to "creators" from now on? It's not that simple. To give an inappropriate example, humans have completed all gene sequencing, which is equivalent to a person knowing all Chinese characters, but knowing all Chinese characters is still a long way from being able to write an essay with these characters.

So why do humans have to study their own genes?

First of all, this is the need for humans to trace their roots. As human beings, we always have this question: "Who am I and where do I come from?" To figure out this question, we must start with genes. Our bodies are made up of cells, and the basic organic matter that makes up cells is protein, and different proteins will eventually present different shapes, so what determines the difference in proteins? It is the base pair. It is no exaggeration to say that even if there is only one base pair that is different, it may show completely different appearance characteristics. Therefore, starting from genes to trace the origin of humans is the most reliable method. Before the beginning of genetic research, humans had endless debates about their origins, and everyone believed that where they were was the birthplace of humans.

Human beings have been arguing endlessly about their origins, and as a result, they have evolved a ridiculous view that people of different skin colors have independent origins.

This unreliable view has been supported by many people, but it is wrong to anyone with a discerning eye, because there is no reproductive isolation between the various human races in the world, which well proves that all human races in the world belong to the same species. However, not all species belong to the same species just because they look alike. For example, Asian elephants and African elephants are species that evolved independently in their respective living areas. Although they are both elephants and look very similar, they are essentially two species, so there is reproductive isolation and they cannot reproduce the next generation.

All people in the world belong to the same species, a view that was later confirmed by genetic research.

Research has found that every man in the world has the same Y chromosome, and it can also be found in a Homo sapiens who lived 250,000 years ago, so this Homo sapiens is also called "Y chromosome Adam". Similarly, women all over the world have the same mitochondrial DNA, and it can also be found in a female Homo sapiens who lived 150,000 years ago, so this female Homo sapiens is also called "Mitochondrial Eve". Obviously, humans all over the world belong to the same species and have a common ancestor. The genetic similarity between different races reaches 99.9%. Maybe you will have some doubts, only 0.1% difference, will the external gap be so exaggerated? Don't forget that human genes contain more than 3 billion base pairs, even 0.1%, that is millions.

Is there a big difference in appearance between humans and chimpanzees? The genetic similarity can reach 98%, and the genetic similarity between humans and bananas is 50%. In addition to tracing the origin, genetic research also has more practical significance, such as treating genetic diseases.

Genetic diseases are essentially caused by gene mutations, so as long as the mutated genes are still there, genetic diseases cannot be completely cured. Genetic diseases of a few people are apparently cured, such as some diabetic patients, but in fact, they are just using drugs to inhibit gene expression. The mutated genes are still there and may occur again in the future. Therefore, if humans want to completely get rid of the troubles of genetic diseases, they must conduct genetic research. Only by re-editing the disease-causing genes can they be cured fundamentally.

Genetic research can allow humans to trace their origins and, in the future, treat genetic diseases that have plagued humans for a long time, but it also has a terrifying side.

When humans have a complete understanding of genes and can edit them at will, it means that humans can create genetic weapons that are only targeted at a certain type of people. Because of genetic differences, different races are susceptible to the same virus to different degrees, which is very scary. Therefore, genetic research is a double-edged sword. But we cannot stop moving forward because of this. Human civilization must continue to progress and cannot stop eating because of choking. The same scientific theory can improve human life and can also be used to destroy humans. Whether it is for good or evil, it is not the fault of science. The final result is all caused by the good or evil of human hearts.

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