For example, some two dozen genes are linked with different types of bitterness.
Beginning this month the Hoechst-Ariad Genomics Center will test some 30, 000 genes for activity in forming bone cells.
The study itself contains a study designed to look for genes that might explain why some people respond and others don't.
In embryonic development, for example, some researchers believe that imprinted genes are involved in a conflict over how big the placenta should be, and thus how much nutrition it extracts from the mother.
Dr Milinski and Dr Wedekind also found an association between a woman's MHC genes and some of her preferences for perfume.
This service tests for 26 different disease-promoting genes and traits, including some of the same variants in its doctor-prescribed tests.
For example, 23andMe tests for some gene variants involved in mildly raising breast cancer risk, but not genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2 that vastly raise breast cancer risk.
It has been known for some time that autism has a strong genetic influence - but up until now only eight or nine genes have been confirmed as playing a role.
By late 1997 it was possible for the agency to decide that, although there had until then been only some limited sequencing of individual genes, the state's laboratories were ready to jump into a huge project and sequence a complete organism.
Caused by the deletion of some 25 to 28 genes, it is marked by severe health issues, a deep affinity for music and a particular, extreme friendliness.
The researchers also are developing protein-network maps for other organisms, including a yeast cell and Caenorhabditis elegans, a tiny worm with some 19, 000 genes, about the same number as humans.
In some areas, such as genes, software and stem-cell research, the question of what qualifies for protection is controversial.
For example, scientists believe they have found a group of genes which play a key role in the development of some bowel, uterine and ovarian cancers.
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