GENETICS 'AS IMPORTANT AS THE LAWS OF CHEMISTRY'
Bateson, mentioned on the previous pagbe, declared that Mendel's work was, "Worthy to rank with those that laid the foundation of the atomic laws of chemistry." It was that important to the science of genetics and the analysis of DNA.

Bateson devoted the remainder of his scientific career to what became known as 'Mendelism'.

Now, exactly 100 years after the re-discovery of Mendel's work, we have made the next huge leap forward in the science of genetics - the mapping of the genome.


WHAT DOES THE MAPPING OF THE GENOME MEAN - IN PRACTICAL TERMS?
Perhaps by 2025 - give or take a few years - you will be able to go to a pharmacy and easily obtain a tape or disc of your own personal genetic code.

Walter Gilbert, a key figure in the Human Genome Project, predicts that possessing a genetic map, and the DNA sequence of an individual will revolutionise medicine. In 20-25 years, we could be looking back on the drugs of today in the same way that today we look back on the barbarism of using mercury, sulphur, and other poisons in an attempt to treat sickness in previous centuries.

"We are entering an era when disease will be predicted before it occurs," says William Haseltine, who is also involved in the Human Genome Project. "Medicine is basically going to change from a treatment-based to a prevention-based discipline."

Well - hooray to that! It sounds as if gene therapy, combined with natural therapy just may have something to offer.


WHICH DISEASES WILL BE CURABLE?
It is estimated that between about 2020-2050, a significant, and increasing, number of diseases will be treatable through gene replacement - modifying our chromosomes and our DNA. About 5,000 diseases are known to be capable of being inherited. Between about 2050 and 2100, the majority of these inherited diseases may be completely avoidable thanks to genetic therapy.

This would include many cases of:

In time, nearly all of these 5,000 inherited diseases will be treatable. A child being born in 50-100 years will grow up with this reality. Try explaining to today's children what living without TV or microwaves was like. It will be the same for genetic treatment.

The major causes of early death - heart disease and cancer - would be greatly reduced.

It used to be rare to live to 100. Today it's not that unusual. By 2100 it will be common - or even usual - to break the century barrier.

For now, scientists can identify and isolate useful strands of genetic material DNA - quite easily. The problem lies in getting the body to accept it.

The most successful method has been by putting the DNA into a genetically altered cold virus, and injecting it. But this is far from a perfect method - research is continuing.

For the moment, much better results are promised by using bacteria to integrate strands of DNA with their own DNA, and producing valuable proteins. Such proteins are often the key in disease treatments.