Human Genome

The Human Genome Project (HGP) was an intensive study and research to order all the genes of the human DNA. This is useful to determine how humans are built and what makes us tick (gov). The project was completed in April 2003. It was originally thought that there were about 20,500 human genes. In 2001, a journal ranged from 50,000 to 140,000 genes. No wonder it took from 1990 and international contribution to complete such a massive feat. More projects have been taken to further understand the genome and its comparison to other known genomes. Day by day, we have a better understanding of who we are, what we are made and how we became to be.

Source: https://www.genome.gov/12011238/an-overview-of-the-human-genome-project/

Accomplishments of Women and Technology

It is built into our culture to believe that men are better at math, science and technology, but in fact, women are, and they were even the first ones to help develop computer programming, the structure of DNA and encouraged other women to join the STEM program. (gov) A great example is Grace Hopper who helped developed computer science and a programming language called COBOL that uses English rather than mathematical expressions. While Hopper may have impacted the computer age in the 20^th century, Ada Lovelace is considered the “founder of scientific computing and first computer programmer” even though her ideas for the machine were never built in her time, her ideas would be later used to encourage modern programming and computers. (gov) Another example is Katherine Johnson, who contributed in the development of the aeronautics and space programs. She was a key role in calculating the trajectory for the first man in space and the Apollo 11 moon mission (gov). There are so many women who have impacted the world of science and technology, it is too hard to list them all, but know that women are just as successful, if not better, then what is believed in modern culture.

Source: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/node/311241

Women and the Eugenic Sterilization Program

In the critically racist, unethical world and country we live in, there is no surprise of the amount of idiocentric beliefs and hatred for those that are not the “supreme race or sex”. In the 20^th century, this was no exception for the unfortunate women who were put in “federally-funded sterilization programs” used to limit the amount of “undesirable” populations (pbs). This included “immigrants, people of color, poor people, unmarried mothers, the disabled, the mentally ill” (pbs). This means that this “treatment” was not only on women, but men and children as well. While some people have seen this as a means of strengthening the human population, others have seen it as a “Hilter” ideology. That is why laws have been passed prohibiting this unlawful method. In 2015, an act was passed to assist those who were forced to the sterilization programs. (pbs)

              

Source: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/blog/unwanted-sterilization-and-eugenics-programs-in-the-united-states/

Human Genome Project

The Human Genome project is one of the most ambitious and challenging quests ever undertaken by science. Its goal is to completely map and sequence all of the genetic material that makes us human. When it is done, we will have a new and profoundly powerful tool to help us to unravel the mysteries of how the human body grows and functions. The cells in our bodies each contain a master program which controls how and when they develop and how they should function. This information is organized in units called genes, which are arrayed one after the other along long polymers called chromosomes. I hope that the Genome Project can accomplish one of its goals, and that is to try to cure and find a treatment for all human diseases. I support the project.

The Thinning: Elimination of the Weakest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD3M5JN1uhg

As I was watching TV this weekend, this trailer came on. It describes a society where people are required to take a standardized test on a tablet device in order to survive. It reminded me of our class because of the various conversations we have had regarding technology and it's ability to eliminate us. The movie describes how the weakest people will be destroyed in order to create a super society, almost like the holocaust. If you have time, take a watch of the trailer. It was extremely interesting.

Forgotten Female Programmers

Ada Lovelace was the world's first computer programmer. She noted that, "a computer can do anything that can be noted logically". Lovelace was pushed into learning mathematics because her mother did not want her to become a romantic poet like her father was. Little did Ada know she would soon find her love for numbers and codes. Women like her essentially revolutionized the modern world to what it is today. We often forget that women were involved with science and mathematics, but they helped change the world too. 

The Human Genome Project- The Truth Revealed

In this video The Human Genome Project is explained. In addition to that, he also addresses the "3 sad surprises"about DNA that were discovered during this experiment: the sequencing of our genome has not contributed to finding the cure to cancer, the human genome has a lot fewer genes that actually code for proteins and perform things than expected, and finally these genes only make up 2% of our entire genome.