The Human Genome Project
"The Human Genome Project (HGP) refers to the international 13-year effort, formally begun in October 1990 and completed in 2003, to discover all the estimated 20,000-25,000 human genes and make them accessible for further biological study. Another project goal was to determine the complete sequence of the 3 billion DNA subunits (bases in the human genome). As part of the HGP, parallel studies were carried out on selected model organisms such as the bacterium E. coli and the mouse to help develop the technology and interpret human gene function." -- "History of the Human Genome Project"
"The completion of the human genetic blueprint would not have been possible without the continued investment by the U.S. government in basic research. I applaud the President's efforts and the work of Congress during the last several years in producing the largest funding increases to fuel the engines of basic science. At the same time we cannot overlook the investment of the private sector in research in America. We reasoned that we could take the chromosomes, break it up into small pieces, sequence the five to six hundred letters at a time and then use the computer to basically solve the jigsaw puzzle."
Dr. J. Craig Ventor CEO Celera Genomics |
President Bill Clinton
Former President "With this profound new knowledge humankind is on the verge of gaining immense new power to heal. Genome science will have a real impact on all of our lives, and even more, on the lives of our children. It will revolutionize the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of most, if not all, human diseases. In comings years, doctors increasingly will be able to cure diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes and cancer by attacking their genetic roots." |