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Why
the Human Genome Center
at Howard University?
The
Issues
The
emergence
of
the
Human
Genome
Project
at
this
juncture
in
the
evolution
of
western
science
is
not
only
impacting
the
way
"we
view"
biology,
but
also
how
"we
do"
biology.
The
cooperation
and
collective
skills
of
large
coalitions
of
laboratory
scientists,
community-oriented
biomedical
research
investigators,
community
advocates,
and
an
informed
population
are
some
of
the
participants
increasingly
required
to
conduct
genome
science
in
medicine.
These
"mega"
collaborative
research
teams
are
often
needed
in
connecting
the
multiple
levels
of
genome
science
and
society.
The
Human
Genome
Project
is
unique
among
the
hard
sciences
in
having
as
part
of
its
initial
core,
a
component
to
anticipate
and
address
ethical,
legal,
and
social
issues
emanating
from
the
advancement
of
knowledge
gained
from
the
science.
Because
of
inherent
variation
in
the
genome,
this
project,
perhaps
like
no
other
leading
edge
of
western
science,
challenges
science
to
expand,
(i.e.,
make
more
inclusive)
the
context
or
measure
of
humanity,
in
order
to
better
understand
the
content,
(i.e.,
genome
and
inner
dimensions)
of
human
biology
and
molecular
medicine.
The
goal
of
the
NHGC
at
HU
is
to
bring
multicultural
perspectives
and
resources
to
an
understanding
of
human
genome
variation
and
its
implications
for
human
health.
The
fulfillment
of
this
goal
is
a
scientific
imperative,
if
the
human
genome
project
is
to
now
shift
from
the
success
of
sequencing
the
three
billion
nucleotides
in
the
human
genome
to
the
significance
of
applying
the
knowledge
gained
towards
eliminating
health
disparities
among
different
ethnic
groups
in
the
promotion
of
health
and
prevention
of
disease.
As
the
Human
Genome
Project
progresses
from
structural
to
functional
genomics,
the
absolute
importance
of
population
variability
in
the
genetic
diagnosis,
treatment
and
management
of
complex
diseases
cannot
be
marginalized
or
ignored.
Among
this
nation's
academic
centers,
Howard
University
is
uniquely
poised
and
prepared
by
virtue
of
its
identity,
history,
and
purpose,
to
provide
leadership
for
America
and
the
global
community
in
addressing
the
array
of
very
challenging
biological,
ethical,
legal,
and
social
issues
introduced
at
this
time
by
the
emergence
of
the
Human
Genome
Project.
The
Challenges
Parallels
can
be
made
between
social
conditions
and
scientific
thought
in
the
mid
19th
century
that
provided
the
context
for
chartering
a
Howard
University
to
meet
growing
national
needs
to
educate,
train,
and
incorporate
millions
of
newly
emancipated
slaves
into
the
mainstream
of
American
life
and
culture,
and
today’s
need
to
bring
millions
of
African
Americans
and
other
historically
disenfranchised
people
of
color
into
the
mainstream
of
genomic
medicine,
the
leading
edge
of
21st
century
biomedical
science
and
thought.
Likewise,
the
establishment
of
the
National
Human
Genome
Center
at
Howard
University
is
in
many
respects
part
of
Howard
’s
charter
and
historic
mission
as
a
forum
for
addressing
the
national
need
for
mass
education
and
training
to
meet
the
multidimensional
ethical,
legal,
and
social
challenges
of
gross
disparities
in
the
health,
education
and
participation
of
historically
disenfranchised
groups
in
the
benefits
of
an
educated
and
informed
democratic
society.
Howard
University
was
chartered
in
1867
by
an
Act
of
Congress
to
educate
youth
in
the
liberal
arts
and
sciences
and
other
departments.
In
1879,
Congress
approved
a
special
appropriation
for
the
University
and
in
1928
amended
the
charter
to
authorize
an
annual
federal
appropriation
for
construction,
development,
improvement
and
maintenance
of
the
University.
In
one
hundred
and
thirty-three
years
of
service
to
its
constituents,
Howard
University
has
graduated
this
nation's
largest
number
of
African
American
scholars
and
professionals
in
the
Arts
and
Sciences.
Included
among
its
distinguished
alumni
are
educators,
doctors,
dentists,
architects,
lawyers,
engineers,
scientists,
and
administrators.
The
University's
motto
"Truth
and
Service",
has
fostered
an
environment
of
intellectual
fervor
and
courageous
leadership
that
under
girds
Howard's
traditions.
Howard
is
indeed
the
world's
largest
and
most
comprehensive
university
with
a
predominantly
African-American
enrollment
and
faculty.
Howard
University
is
only
HBCU
in
the
nation
classified
as
a
Doctoral/Research
University-Extensive
by
the
Carnegie
Foundation
for
the
Advancement
of
Teaching.
Howard
is
not
only
a
national
university,
but
also
an
international
university,
with
a
global
perspective
on
the
major
issues
and
challenges
facing
this
nation
and
the
global
community.
As
articulated
in
the
Vision
Statement
–
Howard
University
is
a
comprehensive
research
university,
unique
and
irreplaceable,
defined
by
its
core
values,
the
excellence
of
all
its
activities
---
instruction,
research
and
service-
and
by
its
enduring
commitment
to
educating
youth,
African
Americans
and
other
people
of
color
in
particular,
for
leadership
and
service
to
our
nation
and
the
world.
Howard
University
is
dedicated
to
attracting,
sustaining,
and
developing
a
cadre
of
faculty
who,
through
their
teaching
and
research,
are
committed
to
producing
distinguished
and
compassionate
graduates
who
seek
solutions
to
human
and
social
problems
in
the
United
States
and
throughout
the
world.
Howard
University
is
fully
accredited
with
several
undergraduate
and
graduate
programs
in
Medicine,
Pharmacy,
Dentistry,
Nursing,
Engineering,
Law,
Education,
and
others.
The
rich
history
of
Howard
University,
its
unquestionable
commitment
to
the
well-being
and
training
of
African
Americans
and
other
people
of
color
provide
the
foundation
and
framework
for
the
NHGC.
As
an
academic
center
of
African
American
thought,
critical
analysis
and
leadership,
investigators
at
the
NHGC
will
enhance
Howard’s
legacy
of
leadership
for
America
by
systematically
pursuing
the
goals
and
objectives
of
the
NHGC
and
introducing
new
perspectives
on
the
generation
as
well
as
the
interpretation
and
implications
of
knowledge
gained
from
this
rapidly
changing
arena
of
investigation.
The
Opportunities
Decoding
the
human
genome
will
lead
to
new
ways
to
prevent,
diagnose,
treat,
and
cure
disease.
With
a
focus
on
the
genetics
of
diseases
common
in
African
Americans,
the
NHGC
will
provide
unique
and
challenging
insights
into
the
relevance
of
genome
variation
to
population-based
differences
in
disease
susceptibility
and/or
resistance.
Alterations
in
our
genes
are
responsible
for
an
estimated
5000
clearly
hereditary
diseases,
such
as
Huntington’s
disease,
cystic
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