At the beginning of the 21st Century the initial phase of the Human Genome Project is complete. This means we now have a map of all the genes on all 46 of the human chromosomes. It was a momentous project, and the date of its completion will surely come to be remembered along with other important historical dates.

It will likely be some years before this genetic map gives rise directly to practical applications, but give rise to them it surely will. One important thing that the completion of this project does for now is that it signifies and underscores the immense strides being made in the field of genetics today. Further, it foretells of even greater strides that we can expect over the next twenty or thirty years.

We have already seen some of these breakthroughs in the discovery of recombinant HGH, and in the work on mutated telomere genes. The field is abuzz with excitement, and the work important - important because it deals with the basis of all life. Which is why work in genetics often involves so much overlap. Work on any given gene affects whatever that gene is responsible for. And since genetics is at the basis of all life, every discovery in this field invariably has the potential for increasing the human life span.

For example, suppose a particular gene or set of genes was found to predispose an individual to a certain form of cancer. If a method were found in which this gene could be blocked or knocked out, it would have immense implications for the prolonging of human life.

And it is discoveries of this sort that we were alluding to earlier, when we said that one of the benefits of maintaining a youthful physiology and remaining in good health, was that you would be around to avail yourself of these future discoveries, and the benefits they will bring.