Read the given passage and answer the following questions:
In the preceding sections you have learnt that it is the sequence of bases in DNA that determines the genetic information of a given organism. In other words, genetic make-up of an organism or an individual lies in the DNA sequences. If two individuals differ, then their DNA sequences should also be different, at least at some places. These assumptions led to the quest of finding out the complete DNA sequence of human genome. With the establishment of genetic engineering techniques where it was possible to isolate and clone any piece of DNA and availability of simple and fast techniques for determining DNA sequences, a very ambitious project of sequencing human genome was launched in the year 1990. Some of the important goals of HGP were as follows: (i) Identify all the approximately 20,000-25,000 genes in human DNA; (ii) Determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA; (iiii) Store this information in databases; (iv) Improve tools for data analysis; (v) Transfer related technologies to other sectors, such as industries; (vi) Address the ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) that may arise from the project. The Human Genome Project was a 13-year project coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Institute of Health. During the early years of the HGP, the Wellcome Trust (U.K.) became a major partner; additional contributions came from Japan, France, Germany, China and others. The project was completed in 2003.
Which of the following was NOT a goal of the Human Genome Project?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → To sequence plant genomes
The passage states that “Some of the important goals of HGP were as follows: (i) Identify all the approximately 20,000-25,000 genes in human DNA; (ii) Determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA; (iiii) Store this information in databases; (iv) Improve tools for data analysis; (v) Transfer related technologies to other sectors, such as industries; (vi) Address the ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) that may arise from the project.”
Every goal in this list deals with human DNA and the handling of its data. None of them is about plants.
Option (1) To improve tools for data analysis — A goal of the HGP. It is goal (iv). The project produced a huge amount of sequence data, so better tools were needed to analyse it.
Option (2) To sequence plant genomes — Not a goal of the HGP. The genomes of some plants, such as rice and Arabidopsis, have also been sequenced, but the book mentions them as other organisms sequenced besides the human genome. Sequencing plant genomes is not in the list of goals of the Human Genome Project.
Option (3) To store genetic information in databases — A goal of the HGP. It is goal (iii). The sequences were stored in databases so that scientists could use them.
Option (4) To address ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) — A goal of the HGP. It is goal (vi). ELSI stands for the ethical, legal and social issues that knowing a person’s genetic make-up could raise.