Torch, Spring/Summer 2007

18 TORCH N ot long ago, it was estimated that humans had approximately 100,000 genes. The secrets of our genome remained enshrouded in mystery, mainly because of the sheer volume of information encoded therein. The Human Genome Project, officially begun in 1990 and completed in 2003, has left humankind with a legacy of information and technology. Because of the techniques developed during the Human Genome Project, the genomes of many plant, animal, fungal, and bacterial species are quickly being sequenced. Why the push for so much information? What can our DNA teach us? As followers of Christ, our DNA gives us cause to worship the Creator. Some years ago, I had well-meaning atheistic friends argue against a wise Creator by talking about “junk DNA.” Junk DNA is DNA that does not code for proteins and was thought by many scientists to be worthless, a waste of cellular energy, thus arguing against wisdom in design. Recent research has revealed that these non-coding regions are critically important for regulating genes; in fact, mutations in these junk DNA regions can even lead to diseases. There is no “junk” DNA! The prevailing dogma in science has been that there are three “important” types of RNA: tRNA, rRNA, and mRNA. The myriad “small RNA” molecules in the cell were perceived as so much cellular debris. Now these, too, are turning out to be critically important for cell function. What occasion for worship! The cells are declaring the glory of God, and the nucleic acids are showing the work of His hands. As research continues to advance, other valuable uses of genetic information are currently becoming reality. Finding the function of each gene should prove to be very useful for the fields of biotechnology and medicine. Understanding the genetic problems which underlie disease should result in a deeper grasp of the biochemistry involved. Better biochemical understanding will result in the development of more accurate pharmaceuticals with fewer side effects. In addition, gene therapies for diseases Bioinformatics in the 21 st Century: Stewarding a Wealth of Information and Technology By Heather Kuruvilla, Ph.D.