well there's 2 separate issues here. The first issue is that it is quite clear by now that studying genes isn't going to tell science much about evolution or disease -- as both of these are influenced equally -- maybe even moreso -- by the epigenome (environmental factors.) Although there are a host of genetic diseases that are plaguing society, by far the most damage is being done via heart disease, cancer, MS, lupus, arthritis and other degernative diseases that have nothing to do with ones' genes, but instead how one (or their parents/granparents) live their lives. Diet, activity level, toxic chemicals, etc play much more of a role in disease than science lets on...therefor their interests should be directed towards showing people how to reverse the diseases that come as a result of years of abuse. Degenerating bodies can be regenerated, most people don't know this, but they can be taught.....even cancer can be reversed, which is just a degenerative (epigenetic) disease. Same with heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes and all the rest....all reversible/curable if they're not too far along and haven't done too much damage. (interestingly, I read the other day that fasting actually reduces the built-up plaque on the walls of the heart's arteries.)

So the first issue is that science is wrong-headed about what is actually going to help the masses, and by merely studying genes they are wasting a lot of time and money...(not to mention lives.) The second thing -- and this is just a personal opinion -- is that our government shouldn't be in the business of health or disease to begin with. There are all kinds of companies with billions of potential dollars who can do the job just fine. If they find the cure -- genetically, epigenetically or otherwise -- the money will come. Nothing promotes a sense of urgency to produce a cure moreso than the reality that people won't get paid until that happens. But as it is, the government is in the business of "research." Thus, this "research," otherwise known as the continuing pipe-dream promise for a cure, is in itself a giant money-maker. I don't like paying for decades of empty promises -- like the 40-year "War against Cancer" -- I like paying for results....but I don't like paying for them until they're availiable. Therefore, I believe individual companies should put up their own money to do their own research and then, if they come up with a cure, reap the rewards. I don't believe my money should be stolen from me year after year to fund this chronic "research" that never produces a cure for a single thing.