As E.O. Wilson has shown (Issues in Science and Technology, 2(1):20-9, 1985), the great preponderance of living species is undescribed. Their total genomic diversity will be lost forever in the next few years as tropical habitats are destroyed through human activity. At the same time, the National Seed Storage Laboratory collection is slowly dying away through financial neglect (P. Raeborn, Issues in Science and Technology, 6(2):71-6, 1989-90). While these irreplaceable pools of genetic diversity are being allowed to expire, the advocates of the Human Genome Project continue to consume ever-increasing amounts of money in pursuit of a questionable goal.
The human genome will be around for a long, long time. It is not in danger of loss or extinction. Must we, in our arrogance, ignore the greater genetic pool out there and focus our treasure and interest inward upon ourselves alone?
PETER C. BAKER
Professor of Biology
Cleveland State University
