[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 14561-14562]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE OF SEQUENCING OF HUMAN GENOME AND 
 EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR GOALS AND IDEALS OF HUMAN GENOME MONTH AND DNA 
                                  DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 10, 2003

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. Speaker, let me join in with the 
gentleman from Florida and the gentleman from Ohio for their wisdom in 
bringing this legislation to the floor, and certainly to the 
gentlewoman from New York, who I enthusiastically join, along with the 
gentleman from Louisiana and the gentleman from Michigan on this 
important legislative initiative.
  H. Con. Res. 110 is a resolution that helps to educate our colleagues 
but also it speaks truth to the American people, and gives due 
recognition to a great accomplishment for humankind. As a member of the 
House Committee on Science, we spent many, many hours on the question 
of the human genome and the Human Genome Project in particular. 
Sequencing of the human genome as one of the most significant 
scientific accomplishments of the past 100 years and expressing support 
of the goals and ideals of the Human Genome Month and DNA Day really is 
a statement about life.
  It is a statement about the ability of the new science to be able, 
Mr. Speaker, to understand life, to help us understand where we came 
from, and how we fit into the world. It will also create improved 
health where that was not a possibility 10, 15, or 50 years ago.
  It is crucial as the human genome project achieves its goal, and the 
essential completion of the reference sequence of the human genome 
carrying, that we begin to put our new knowledge to work. This has been 
a great investment, and the payoffs should benefit all of the American 
people. However, we must move thoughtfully and cautiously. One of the 
challenges that we have in this Congress is the whole question of human 
cloning. It is important not to equate these projects--research on the 
human genome DNA with the idea of the creation of a human being. We can 
have one without the other. We should not be so afraid of creating 
monsters, that we do not attempt to create cures.
  It is important now as we have begun or understand the sequence that 
we allow this project to grow and to be utilized to help us determine 
the cures for diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's disease, 
diabetes, stroke, and yes, HIV/AIDS. The more we understand about the 
human being and its makeup, the more we can create a better way of 
life.
  We well know of our renowned fictional character Superman. 
Christopher Reeves, who was the embodiment of the man of steel, has 
become a different kind of superman today. He may be in a wheelchair, 
but he is still making great bounds, trying time after time with a 
number of efforts to find the cure for those who suffer spinal 
injuries, some of the most devastating injuries that we will face. As 
we look to the wounded who will be coming home from the war in Iraq and 
Afghanistan, they will be coming home with major injuries, some 
continuing to be life-threatening. The greater knowledge of our ability 
to be able to respond to those kinds of devastating injuries, physical 
injuries through weapons, the better off we will be. The more we can 
find a way to determine and fight against the war against bioterrorism, 
the better off we will be. Advances in these and many other fields will 
hinge on our ability to understand and manipulate the human genome and 
its products. That is why the Human Genome Project was such a great 
accomplishment, and why we should continue to draw attention to this 
critical research through Human Genome Month and DNA Day.
  This is an excellent resolution, Mr. Speaker, because it educates my 
colleagues and educates the public.

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