| For Release: October 5, 1995
Catherine E. Watson
(804) 864-6122
Release 95-96
The Human Genome Project: Understanding the Human Genetic
Blueprint
Dr. Paula Gregory, chief of the Genetics Education Office at the
National Center for Human Genome Research (NCHGR), will discuss the
Human Genome Project at 2 p.m. on Oct. 10 at the H.J.E. Reid
Conference Center, 14 Langley Blvd., Hampton, Va.
The Human Genome Project is an international effort to
understand the human genetic blueprint. The goal of the project is
to locate each of the approximately 100,000 human genes, three
billion bits of information, by 2005. Errors in our genes are
responsible for an estimated 3,000 hereditary diseases, including
Huntington's Disease, cystic fibrosis and Duchenne muscular
dystrophy. Altered genes also play a part in cancer, heart disease
and diabetes.
Gregory established the Human Genome Project's education effort
in 1993. Since then, she has traveled to a dozen states and has
spoken to over 14,000 students, educators and others interested in
genome research and its implications. Gregory is an active
scientist, currently conducting research on acute leukemia and
human artificial chromosomes.
Gregory will present the same lecture at the Virginia Air and
Space Center, 600 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton, Va. at 7:30 p.m.
There is no cost for this lecture and no reservations are required.
After the lecture, the VASC will show the IMAX film "The Blue
Planet." Tickets are $5.50 for adults and $4.50 for seniors,
military, NASA employees and children.
A media briefing will be held at 1:15 p.m. in the Wythe Room of
the H.J.E. Reid Conference Center. Media who wish to attend the
briefing should contact Catherine Watson at (804) 864-6122.
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