Genomics and Its Impact on Science and Society

Last updated: June 2008.

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This edition covers basic science, the Human Genome Project, what we know so far, Next Steps in Genomic Research, ELSI, medicine, benefits, and more.

This document may be cited in the following style:
Human Genome Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Genomics and Its Impact on Science and Society: A 2008 Primer, 2008.

Additional Archived Primers and Related Documents

Throughout the duration of the HGP, numerous primers and educational documents were created to help explain genetics and the project to the lay person. These documents are now out of date, but PDFs are presented here as an historical archive.

• The Human Genome and Beyond (April 2003).
• Fact Sheet on the Human Genome Project (2001). This 4-page document is an excellent handout with basic facts about the HGP. It is a reprint of several articles from the November 2000 issue of Human Genome News.
• To Know Ourselves (1996), an overview of the underlying science of the Human Genome Project.
• Primer on Molecular Genetics (June 1992).