Bioinformatics - Solving Biological Problems Using DNA and Amino Acid

Bioinformatics - Solving Biological Problems Using DNA and Amino Acid Sequences 1. Introduction In the wake of Genomic revolution, biology that used to be a lab-based science has transformed to embrace Information science. Human Genome Project is a 13-year project focusing on identifying approximately 30,000 genes in human DNA. The information found is stored in databases, analyzed and used for different purposes like simplifying diagnosis of disease, earlier detection of genetic predisposition to specific disease, custom drugs, gene therapy, gene replacement technologies [1]. Technological advancement has been one of the contributors for the early completion of this project. Computer technology has facilitated in managing and using the deluge of biological data, and various software tools are used to model biological structures in biotechnology. The simplest definition of the biotechnology industry is that it deals with the application of biological knowledge and techniques pertaining to molecular, cellular and genetic processes to develop products and services. The applications range from agriculture (genetically modified food, insect resistant fibre, food processing), industrial (biofuels, bioenzymes in pollution control) and medical biotechnology (diagnosing diseases, developing new drugs). The ethical issues of Bioinformatics data collection and use of human biological data is being analyzed in this paper. 2. What is Bioinformatics Fredj Tekaia at the Institut Pasteur offers this definition of bioinformatics: "The mathematical, statistical and computing methods that aim to solve biological problems using DNA and amino acid sequences and related ... ...e/umlnews/viewarticle.asp?articleid=16 8) Human Genome Project Information, Genetics and Patenting, http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/patents.shtml#4 9) The Golden Cusp by Samar Halarnkar and Venkatesha Babu , Business Today, http://www.renodis.com/media/businesstoday/bustoday_article.htm 10) Pankaj Sohaney, Asian Student Medical Journal, Recent Techniques in Biological Research: Bioinformatics http://www.asmj.netfirms.com/article3.html 11) Nature http://www.nature.com/genetics Bibliography 1) www.bioinformatics.org 2) Rob Blatchey, Ethical issues related to the Collection, Storage, and Use of Data Obtained through Bioinformatics. http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~rdb2/bioinformatics.htm 3) Human Genome Project Information: Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues. http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/elsi.shtml