DNA is considered the blueprint of life. ...

Sharing a few thought after reading an excellent article published via USAToday.

After more than 20 years, scientists are finally done mapping the human genome, Approximately 8% of genetic material could not be deciphered with previous technology. That missing 8% was like a detective story with the pages missing that tell you who committed the crime. Why is this important? You could say that “Earlier maps, he said, were missing entire chapters of the book of life.”

“Mapping this genetic material should help explain how humans adapted to and survived infections and plagues, how our bodies clear toxins, how individuals respond differently to drugs, what makes the brain distinctly human and what makes each of us distinct from each other”, said Evan Eichler, a geneticist at the University of Washington School of Medicine who helped lead the research. Now, "we can continuously read the book with almost no errors," he said, "we can get from Page 1 to the final chapter."

RE: HEALTH AND MEDICINE: There is still a lot that is unknown, however, what is known about DNA mapping is used in medical care. The human genome is now routinely used in determining cancer treatment, reactions to certain drugs and identifying inherited genetic diseases.

RE: CRIME: DNA tests have revealed cases of “fertility fraud”. When a female patient went to receive artificial insemination, she was led to believe that it was the sperm of anonymous donor. Evidently, the doctor was donating his own sperm. How many patients did he did that to? I'm guessing the doctor knows OR he maybe he did it so many times he lost count. I'm not sure he has been found. The report I heard indicates he “could not be reached”. But this case opened up a “can of worms” and now several fertility doctors are being investigated.

• Mapping of human DNA is complete. Here's what that means for humanity.  

Article writer: Karen Weintraub at kweintraub@usatoday.com.