“Dear student,We regret to inform you that, because of the exceptionally competitive gene pool this year, the selection process has been unusually difficult, and the Committee has had to choose only a few students from a large number of applicants with exceptional DNA qualifications.  Sincerely,Admissions Committee”Though this is intentionally exaggerated, it’s not far from what could possibly occur if the scientific community keeps up its pace in the race to understand the human genome. The genome is a person’s genetic code contained in genes inside the nucleus of every cell in the body. It is made up of three million base pairs of DNA. At the publication of the first draft of human genome in 2000, former President Bill Clinton said, “We are beginning to learn the language in which God created life.”  Complete Genomics — a center for genetics, bio-tech research and computer technology — hopes to have enough technology to process 1,000 complete genomes by the end of 2009 and learn this so-called “language of life.””The future that we all envisage is the day when every infant has their genome sequenced at birth and we utilize that information to optimize health throughout their life,” Andrew Wooton of X Prize Foundation told BBC News on April 8.The merits of such technology and knowledge are evident. Being able to sequence the genome will allow geneticists to make the connection between development of disease and DNA. It will offer more personalized medical treatments to suit individual patients.Doctors will also be able to inform individuals to what extent any particular environmental risk could have on a person based on the faulty genes inherited from ancestors or because of daily lifestyles.The possibility of developing several disorders, including cystic fibrosis, Huntington’s disease and some forms of breast cancer, can be detected at a very early age with this knowledge. Individuals could adopt safe health practices in hopes of prevention.While discovering the secrets of the genome has its advantages, society should also consider possible negative ramifications.Complete Genomics plans to have enough database room and power to hold genetic codes for all citizens within a few years. With new technological inventions, the process of decoding the genome will supposedly become simple and inexpensive. If technology is available to read the genome, then a matter of storing the information is nominal.If the database is available for doctors to create personalized health care plans, then private companies could start requesting the information before granting plans. This could result in possible discrimination of someone based on genes.If the private sector ever attained the information, this could mean macro-scale discrimination, because it would only be a matter of time before federal agencies obtained it. Then, we have a student receiving the aforementioned rejection letter.Regardless of these possible potential consequences, society is fortunate in that it has ample time to decide what to do. “We don’t understand much about the genome yet, despite all the years we’ve been studying it, although new technologies are enabling us to learn faster and faster,” Steven Brenner, professor of biology and University of California at Berkeley said.At best we understand what 1 percent of the genome does.Now, this apocalyptic prophesy may seem larger than life, but it is a possibility to consider before taking action. Modern people may not be present to see all these changes take place; however, they will be the ones to start those changes. Dini Parayitam is an 18-year-old biochemistry freshman from Lake Charles.—-Contact Dini Parayitam at [email protected]