The major events of genetic history are important to understanding the Human Genome Project. Genetics is the study of the patterns of inheritance of specific traits. The basic beginnings of genetic history lay in the ancient techniques of selective breeding to yield special characteristics in later generations. This was and still is a form of genetic manipulation by "employing appropriate selection for physical and behavioral traits"(Gert, 93).

Gregor Mendel, an Austrian monk, completed experiments on garden peas so as to establish the quantitative discipline of genetics. Mendel's work explained that the inheritance of traits can be stated by factors passed from one generation

5) Reproductive issues including informed consent for procedures, use of genetic information in decision making, and reproductive rights.

A moral theory is the attempt to explain, justify, and make visible "the moral system that people use in making their moral judgments and how to act when confronting a moral problem" (Lee, 34) This theory is based on rational decisions. With this in mind, the moral system must be known by everyone who is judged by it. This leads to the rational statement that "morality must be a public system" (Lee, 34) The individuals of the public system must know what morality requires of them, and the judgments and guidelines made must be rational to them. Just like any game, the players play by a set of rules and these rules dictate how the game is played. When rules are broken penalties are enforced by the other players, according to the rules. However, if everyone agrees to change the rules then the game continues without any penalties. Therefore, "the goal of common morality is to lessen the amount of harm suffered by those protected by it" (Lee, 35) and it is constrained by the knowledge and need to be understood by all it applies to. Justified violations also exist in common morality. Just like in the game, a change in the rules causes acceptance. Morality in every instance can be viewed not as an evil by the public perception but as a decision backed by common morals.

The Human Genome Project in itself is an extremely productive endeavor. While it's focus is on creating an entire map of the human Genome, it is constantly publishing the steadily increasing volumes of information that are produced every year. So we return to the question of whether or not the Human Genome Project is an imminent breach of good conscience and morals. There is no doubt that the project can be seen from both sides of the fence. While the data could be manipulated for the wrong purposes, it could also help to accomplish seemingly impossible medical miracles. And so, no doubt, we will fall as a nation into division. However, you are left to decide for yourself, what side of the fence you will be on.

3) Who owns and controls it? Psychological impact and stigmatization due to an individual's genetic differences How does the information affect an individual, and society's perceptions of that individual?

Based on the pattern of common morality, the issues of genetic race and class disti

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Approximate Word count = 1638
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)