The Human Genome Project

Abstract

The Human Genome Project (HGP) was conceived in the mid-1980s as an ambitious effort to characterize the human genome, ultimately culminating with a complete DNA sequence by the year 2005. The accomplishment of this goal would locate the ~80,000 genes and provide the DNA sequence (~3 × 10⁹ bp) for the entire genome at an estimated cost of $3 billion over 15 years. The project has evolved as an international effort, driven forward by numerous scientific groups and funding agencies. Exchange of information and biological materials has been facilitated by the Human Genome Organization (HUGO). In the United States, the genome project was officially launched in 1990 by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Energy (DOE). The goals, as initially conceived were (1) creation of genetic maps, (2) development of physical maps, and (3) determination of complete sequence of human DNA.