Opportunity: Meeting the Needs of Genetic Researchers
In June 2000, the scientific community reached a momentous milestone, the complete
mapping of the human genome. But even before this breakthrough, molecular
biologists conducted new genetic experiments. They started with organisms with
simpler genetic codes, such as yeast, and worked towards more complex genomes and
partial strands of human DNA.
Once scientists had completely mapped the human genome, literally millions of new
tests were possible. There was no scientific field ready to grow as explosively as
genomics. Researchers sought new knowledge about the genetic basis of life, and in
particular, genetic markers for diseases. They anticipated advancing to experiments
with specific subsets of genes known to be related to a particular disease. They
foresaw a revolution in medical therapies.
Genetic experiments involved measuring the magnitude of DNA interactions.
Measurements were always comparative, between an experimental sample and a
control sample. Due to the complexity of genetics and the imperfect nature of the
laboratory apparatus, experiments were run multiple times, and conclusions drawn
on statistical inference. The high standards of proof expected in the physical sciences