SR0363LRB101 12156 ALS 59753 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The Illinois Senate recognizes that the
3sequencing of the human genome is one of the most significant
4scientific accomplishments of the past hundred years and
5expresses support for the goals and ideals of Human Genome
6Month and DNA Day; and
 
7    WHEREAS, April 25, 2019 will be the 66th anniversary of the
8publication of the description of the double-helix structure of
9deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in Nature magazine by James D.
10Watson and Francis H.C. Crick, which is considered by many
11scientists to be one of the most significant scientific
12discoveries of the 20th century; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Their discovery launched a field of inquiry that
14explained how DNA carries biological information in the genetic
15code and how this information is duplicated and passed from
16generation to generation, forming the stream of life that
17connects us all to our ancestors and to our descendants; and
 
18    WHEREAS, In turn, this field of inquiry was crucial to the
19founding and continued growth of the field of biotechnology,
20which has led to historic scientific and economic advances for
21the world, advances in which the people of the United States
22have played a leading role and from which they have realized

 

 

SR0363- 2 -LRB101 12156 ALS 59753 r

1significant benefits; and
 
2    WHEREAS, April of 2019 marks the 16th anniversary of the
3completion of the international Human Genome Project, a
4research effort led in the United States by the National Human
5Genome Research Institute to sequence the DNA base pairs of the
6human genome for the first time and make this information
7freely available to the public; and
 
8    WHEREAS, The Human Genome Project has provided an exemplary
9model for social responsibility in scientific research by
10devoting significant resources to studying the ethical, legal,
11and social implications of the project; therefore, be it
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
13ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare April 25,
142019 as DNA Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further
 
15    RESOLVED, That schools, museums, cultural organizations,
16and other educational institutions are encouraged to recognize
17Human Genome Month and DNA Day with appropriate programs and
18activities centered on human genomics.