Unlocking the Body's Secrets

U.S. Newswire - U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for Dec. 1: Unlocking the Body's Secrets

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature for Dec. 1 from the U.S. Census Bureau:

MONDAY, DEC. 1: UNLOCKING THE BODY'S SECRETS

Profile America -- Monday, Dec. 1. One of the most important scientific efforts in history was announced on this day four years ago -- the mapping of the first human chromosome. Since then, all 23 pairs of chromosomes found in human cells have been blueprinted, allowing researchers to study the genes they contain. So far, this physical map has led to the identification of about 100 disease-causing genes. Attention is now being focused on the role genes play in diseases that have a complex pattern of inheritance, such as diabetes, asthma, cancer and mental illness. Cancer alone claims the lives of more than half a million Americans each year. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau on the Web at http://www.census.gov

Isn't science wonderful?