History

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. The DOE Human Genome Program and the NIH National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) together sponsored the U.S. Human Genome Project.

Publications Summarizing Various Aspects of the Project

• Special issue of Nature Human Genome Collection (2006)
• Special issue of Science: Building on the DNA Revolution (April 11, 2003)
  • “The Human Genome Project: Lessons from Large-Scale Biology,” Francis S. Collins, Michael Morgan, Aristides Patrinos, Science 300, 286 (2003)
  • “Realizing the Potential of the Genome Revolution: The Genomes to Life Program,” Marvin E. Frazier, Gary M. Johnson, David G. Thomassen, Carl E. Oliver, Aristides Patrinos, Science 300, 290 (2003)
• Nature Genetics: A 10-Year Retrospective 1992-2002 (vol. 33, March 2003)
• Controversial From the Start —Science article summarizing the history of the HGP (February 2001)
• Genomes: 15 Years Later—A perspective from Charles DeLisi, HGP Pioneer (July 2001)
• 1997 Human Genome Program Report contains history of the Project
• Bermuda Conference Data Release Policies (1997, 1996). See also, NHGRI Policy Regarding Intellectual Property of Human Genomic Sequence (April 1996).
• NCHGR-DOE Guidance on Human Subjects Issues in Large-Scale DNA Sequencing (1996)
• Special Anniversary Issue of Human Genome News (7(3-4); Sept.-Dec. 1995) Summarizing the History and Progress of the Project
  • Evolution of a Vision (Part I) by David Smith, then Director of the DOE HGP (December 1995)
  • Evolution of a Vision (Part II) by Francis S. Collins, then Director of NIH NCHGR (December 1995)
• “Origins of the Human Genome Project,” by Robert Cook-Deegan (1994; Risk Journal)
• Mapping the Genome: The Vision, the Science, the Implementation; What is the Genome Project? [Article from Los Alamos Science. A round table discussion with David Baltimore, David Botstein, David R. Cox, David J. Galas, Leroy Hood, Robert K. Moyzis, Maynard V. Olson, Nancy S. Wexler, and Norton D. Ziner] Los Alamos (National Laboratory) Science 20, 1992.
• History of the Department of Energy Human Genome Program adapted from the U.S. DOE 1991-92 Human Genome Program Report (published June 1992)
• Data Sharing Policy: (1992) A U.S. Department of Energy and National Institutes of Health Coordinated Effort
• Understanding our Genetic Inheritance. The U.S. Human Genome Project: The First Five Years FY 1991-1995. Report DOE/ER-0452P. (published April 1990)
• “Orchestrating the Human Genome Project,” by Charles Cantor, Science 248, April 1990
• “The Human Genome Project: Past, Present, and Future” by J.D. Watson, Science 248, April 1990
• “The Department of Energy (DOE) Human Genome Initiative,” Benjamin J. Barnhart, Genomics 5, 657 (1989).
• “The (May 1985) Santa Cruz Workshop,” R.L. Sinsheimer, Genomics 5, 954 (1989).
• Mapping Our Genes: Genome Projects —How Big? How Fast? 1988 report from the U.S. Congress Office of Technology Assessment
• Mapping and Sequencing the Human Genome, report from the National Research Council Commission on Life Sciences, National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 1988
• The Genome Project, Dec. 13, 1987, NYT Magazine article
• Report on the Human Genome Initiative for the Office of Health and Environmental Research: April 1987 report that officially outlined the Department of Energy’s strategies for the Human Genome Project
• Summary Report of the 1986 Santa Fe Workshop, “Sequencing the Human Genome”, Bitensky, M.; Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM. See also Nature: Meetings that changed the world: Santa Fe 1986, (Oct. 16, 2008.)
• “The Alta Summit, December 1984,” by Robert Cook-Deegan, Genomics 5, 661-663 (published October 1989): The beginning of the Human Genome Project.
• Human Genome News (HGN) newsletter on the Human Genome Project. All published issues (since 1989) are available.
• More publications

Project Enabling Legislation

• The Atomic Energy Act of 1946 (P.L. 79-585) provided the initial charter for a comprehensive program of research and development related to the utilization of fissionable and radioactive materials for medical, biological, and health purposes.
• The Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (P.L. 83-706) further authorized the Atomic Energy Commission “to conduct research on the biologic effects of ionizing radiation.”
• The Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-438) provided that responsibilities of the Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) shall include “engaging in and supporting environmental, biomedical, physical, and safety research related to the development of energy resources and utilization technologies.”
• The Federal Non-nuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-577) authorized ERDA to conduct a comprehensive non-nuclear energy research, development, and demonstration program to include the environmental and social consequences of the various technologies.
• The DOE Organization Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-91) mandated the Department “to assure incorporation of national environmental protection goals in the formulation and implementation of energy programs; and to advance the goal of restoring, protecting, and enhancing environmental quality, and assuring public health and safety,” and to conduct “a comprehensive program of research and development on the environmental effects of energy technology and program.”

Project Sponsors

• The U.S. Department of Energy funded its Human Genome Program through their Biological and Environmental Research program..
• The U.S. National Institutes of Health funded its program through the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI).

Participating Institutions