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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, 2018 will be the 65th 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 twentieth 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, This field of inquiry in turn 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

 

 

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1significant benefits; and
 
2    WHEREAS, April of 2018 marks the 15th anniversary of
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; and
 
12    WHEREAS, The National Human Genome Research Institute has
13designated April of 2018 as "Human Genome Month" in celebration
14of the completion of the sequencing of the human genome and
15April 25, 2018 as "DNA Day" in celebration of the 65th
16anniversary of the publication of the description of the
17structure of DNA on April 25, 1953; therefore, be it
 
18    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
19ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare April 25,
202018 as "DNA Day" in the State of Illinois; and be it further
 
21    RESOLVED, That schools, museums, cultural organizations,

 

 

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1and other educational institutions are encouraged to recognize
2Human Genome Month and DNA Day with appropriate programs and
3activities centered on human genomics.