Human Genome Project Timeline

Major Events in the U.S. Human Genome Project and Related Projects

Acronyms listed here.

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 to 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 Escherichia 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. Research also was sponsored and carried out at institutions around the world.

The timeline below has been extended past completion of the HGP to include important related events up to 2013.

2013

• An agreement was reached between the National Institutes of Health and the Henrietta Lacks family regarding the use of the HeLa genome for research. See “The HeLa Genome: An agreement on privacy and access.” Francis Collins and Kathy L. Hudson discuss this historic agreement and prior collaborative discussions. See also “Biospecimen policy: Family matters.” Nature 500(7461), 141–42. [August 7, 2013]
• Genetic Alliance launched Genes in Life website, which offers experts and the public comprehensive information on genetics services and access, including genomic testing and working with healthcare professionals. The site harmonizes existing resources and tools in a one-stop source and engages the public on leading-edge topics. [August 2013]
• On June 13, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that naturally occurring DNA cannot be patented, but that synthetically created cDNA is patent eligible. The Court heard arguments in the case of Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, Inc. on April 15. (Wikipedia article) [June 13, 2013]
• Battelle and United for Medical Research issued, The Impact of Genomics on the U.S. Economy, an update to Battelle’s 2011 industry report. [June 13, 2013]
• The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of a Maryland law that allows warrantless collection of DNA from persons who have been arrested (Maryland v. King). (February 26, 2013); NPR summary account. [June 3, 2013]
• Over 70 leading healthcare, research, and disease advocacy organizations from more than 40 countries began steps to form a global alliance for genetic health dedicated to enabling the secure sharing of genomic and clinical data in a standardized (technical and regulatory), effective, and responsible manner. More information is available at the Broad Institute, including a White Paper. [June 3, 2013]
• Smithsonian opens human genome exhibit: Unlocking Life’s Code. [June 2013]
• Gene patenting case reached Supreme Court: The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in the case of Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, Inc. (See also June 13, 2013, entry above, “The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that naturally occurring DNA cannot be patented.”) [April 15, 2013]
• HGP marked 10th anniversary of Project’s end. [NYT: April 15, 2013]

2012

• Privacy and Progress in Whole Genome Sequencing report released by the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. [October 2012]
• ENCODE project published results from cross-consortium integrative analysis, covering more than 4 million regulatory regions in the human genome in 30 coordinated papers in Nature, Science, and other journals. The Nature ENCODE website allows readers to follow a topic through all of the papers in the publication set. See also the UCSC ENCODE Integrative Analysis portal for additional material and analysis resources. [September 2012]
• Illumina launched MyGenome app for iPad: First tool of its kind for visualizing the human genome. [June 2012]

2011

• Ruling upholds Myriad gene patent in cancer test. (See also June 2013 entry above, “The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that naturally occurring DNA cannot be patented.”) NYT. [July 30, 2011]
• Battelle HGP published report: Economic Impact of the Human Genome Project. (See also May 11, 2011, online response in Nature: “What is the human genome worth?” and the June 2013 followup report, The Impact of Genomics on the U.S. Economy.) [May 2011]
• “The future is bright: Reflections on the first ten years of the human genomics age” is published, marking the tenth anniversary of the publication of the draft sequence of the human genome. Nature 470(7333), 204–13. [February 10, 2011]

2010

• The U.S. justice department filed a court brief stating that genes should not be eligible for patents because they are products of nature. See “Gene patent ruling raises questions for industry.” (See also June 2013 entry above, “The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that naturally occurring DNA cannot be patented.”) NYT. [November 1, 2010]
• 1000 Genomes Project Consortium published pilot paper, “A map of human genome variation from population-scale sequencing.” Nature 467, 1062–73. [October 29, 2010]
• Retrospective: “Has the revolution arrived?” by Francis Collins. Nature 464, 674–675. [April 1, 2010]

2009

• Landmark paper: “The NIH Human Microbiome Project.” Genome Research 19(12), 2317–23. [December 2009]

2008

• Genome Data Base operations shut down by RTI International. The archival database was later transferred to Johns Hopkins University, where it originated, but is no longer accessible. [June 1, 2008]
• Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) became law. [May 21, 2008]
• Genome economics survey published. “Genomics research: World survey of public funding.” BMC Genomics 9, 472. [2008]
• Landmark paper: “Mapping and sequencing of structural variation from eight human genomes.” Nature 453, 56–64. [May 1, 2008]
• Second-generation sequencing platforms cause dramatic drop in sequencing costs. Costs began to outpace Moore’s Law. See DNA sequencing costs graphs from NGHRI. [2008]

2007

• NIH issued RFA to support reference epigenome production centers that will develop reference epigenomes of a variety of human cells. See Roadmap Epigenomics Mapping Consortium for more information. [2007]
• Human Microbiome Project begun. See “The human microbiome project.” Nature 449, 804–10. [October 17, 2007]

2006

• Special issue: Human Genome Collection. Nature S1. [2006]
• Human chromosome 1 published. Nature 441, 315–21. [May 2006]
• Human chromosome 3 published. Nature 440, 1194–98. [April 27, 2006]
• Human chromosome 17 published. Nature 440, 1045–49. [April 20, 2006]
• Human chromosome 15 published. Nature 440, 671–75. [March 30, 2006]
• Human chromosome 11 published. Nature 440, 497–500. [March 23, 2006]
• Human chromosome 12 published. Nature 440, 346–57. [March 16, 2006]
• Human chromosome 8 published. Nature 439, 331–35. [January 19, 2006]

2005

• Landmark paper: “A haplotype map of the human genome.” Nature 437(7063), 1299–1320. [October 27, 2005]
• Human chromosome 4 published. Nature 434, 724–31. [April 7, 2005]
• Human chromosome 2 published. Nature 434, 724–31. [April 7, 2005]
• Human chromosome X published. Nature 434, 325–37. [March 17, 2005]
• National Geographic Magazine and IBM launch the Genographic Project, a multiyear research initiative using cutting-edge genetic and computational technologies to analyze historical patterns in DNA from participants around the world to better understand our human genetic roots. [2005]

2004

• Human chromosome 16 published. Nature 432, 988–94. [December 23, 2004]
• Landmark paper describing finished human sequence published. Human gene count estimates changed; new estimate is 20,000 to 25,000 genes. International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium, “Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome.” Nature 431, 931–45. See also, DOE-NIH press release. [October 21, 2004]
• Human chromosome 5 published. Nature 431, 268–74. [September 16, 2004]
• Landmark paper: “Human genome: Quality assessment of the human genome sequence.” Nature 429, 365–68. [May 27, 2004]
• Human chromosome 9 published. Nature 429, 369–74. [May 27, 2004]
• Human chromosome 10 published. Nature 429, 375–82. [May 27, 2004]
• Human chromosome 19 published. Nature 428, 529–625. [April 1, 2004]
• Human chromosome 13 published. Nature 428, 522–28. [April 1, 2004]
• Human chromosome 18 published. Nature 428, 89–93. [March 4, 2004]
• NHGRI created “Centers of Excellence in ELSI Research” program. [2004]

2003

• Human chromosome 6 published. Nature 425, 805–11. [October 23, 2003]
• NIH National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) launched a public research consortium named ENCODE, the Encyclopedia Of DNA Elements, to carry out a project to identify all functional elements in the human genome sequence. [September 2003]
• Human chromosome 7 published. Nature 424, 157–64. [July 10, 2003]
• Human chromosome Y published. Nature 423, 810–13. [June 19, 2003]
• Human Genome Project declared finished. [Corresponding papers Nature [April 24, 2003] and Science [April 11, 2003]
• Special issue: “A 10-Year Retrospective 1992–2002.” Nature 33(3s). [March 2003]
• Human chromosome 14 published—the fourth chromosome to be completely sequenced. Nature 421, 601–07. [January 10, 2003]

2002

• International HapMap Project begun. [October 2002]
• Mouse Genome Sequencing Consortium published its draft mouse genome sequence. Nature 420, 510. [December 5, 2002]
• Special issue: “User’s Guide to the Human Genome.” Nature Genetics 32(1s), 1–79. [September 2002]
• International consortium led by the DOE Joint Genome Institute published draft sequence of Fugu rubripes. Science 297(5585), 1301–10. [August 23, 2002]
• 2002 DOE Human Genome Program Contractor-Grantee Workshop IX, Oakland, CA [January 27–31, 2002]

2001

• Human chromosome 20 published. Nature 414, 865–71.  [December 20, 2001]
• “Genomes: 15 years later“—a perspective from Charles DeLisi, HGP pioneer. (Human Genome News 11(3–4). [July 2001]
• Publication of Initial Working Draft Sequence [February 12, 2001]
  Special issues of Science (February 16, 2001) and Nature (February 15, 2001) contained the working draft of the human genome sequence. Nature papers included initial analysis of the descriptions of the sequence generated by the publicly sponsored Human Genome Project, while Science publications focused on the draft sequence reported by the private company, Celera Genomics. A press conference was held at 10 a.m., Monday, February 12, 2001, to discuss the landmark publications. Links for more information follow.
  • Science 291(5507), 1145–1434. [February 16, 2001]
  • Nature 409(6822), 745–964. [February 15, 2001]
  • “Human Genome Project and the Private Sector: A Working Partnership.”Human Genome Fact Sheet. [2001]
  • Webcast of HGP press conference. [Monday, February 12, 2001]
  • Pieter de Jong’s team (at Oakland Children’s Hospital, Oakland, CA, in 2013) was a major provider of the BAC libraries used in the sequencing of the human and several other genomes. Science 29(5507), 1207. See also related HGN article. [February 15, 2001]
  • “Controversial from the start“—Article summarizing the history of the HGP. Science 291(5507), 1182–88. [February 16, 2001]

2000

• HGP leaders and President Clinton announced the completion of a “working draft” DNA sequence of the human genome. [June 26, 2000]
  • White House press conference: The Human Genome Project [June 26, 2000]
  • Press briefing and remarks
  • Interview with Ari Patrinos, Director U.S. DOE Human Genome Program.
    • Part One: “Reaction to President Clinton’s announcement of the completion of a draft sequence of the human genome” [Real Audio file]
    • Part Two: “Origins of the Human Genome Project, NIH Collaboration, and the Private Sector Role” [Real Audio file]
    • Part Three: “Application of Genome Discoveries, Next Steps in the Human Genome Project, and Ethical Considerations” [Real Audio file]
• Human chromosome 21 published—the smallest human chromosome and the second to be sequenced completely. Nature 405, 311–19. [May 18, 2000]
• DOE researchers announced completion of chromosomes 5, 16, and 19 draft sequence. [April 13, 2000]
  • Elbert Branscomb, Director, DOE Joint Genome Institute [Real Audio file]
  • Trevor Hawkins, Director of Sequencing, DOE Joint Genome Institute [Real Audio file]
• U.S. HGP reached 2 billionth base—two-thirds of genome completed. [March 29, 2000]
• International collaborators published genome of fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. [March 24, 2000]
• 2000 DOE Human Genome Program Contractor-Grantee Workshop VIII, Santa Fe, NM [February 27–March 2, 2000]
• President Clinton signed executive order prohibiting federal departments and agencies from using genetic information in hiring or promoting workers. Read more about the executive order. [February 8, 2000]

1999

• Human chromosome 22 published. First human chromosome completely sequenced! Nature 402, 489–495.  [December 1, 1999]
• DOE Joint Genome Institute performance sequencing facility opened in Walnut Creek, CA. [1999]
• The Billion Base Pair Celebration. Bruce Alberts (President, National Academy of Sciences and early planner of the Genome Project), Francis Collins (Director, NHGRI), Donna Shalala (Secretary of DHHS), and Bill Richardson (Secretary of DOE) celebrate the completion of the first third of the human genome. (Real Audio file. Total Running Time: 01:09:45; Bandwidth: 146 Kbps) [November 23, 1999]
• HGP advanced goal for obtaining a draft sequence of the entire human genome from 2001 to 2000. Science 284(5419), 1439–41. [May 28, 1999]
• Major drug firms created public SNP Consortium. [April 1999]
• 1999 DOE Human Genome Program Contractor-Grantee Workshop VII, Oakland, CA [January 12–16, 1999]

1998

• Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, restored Genome Data Base collection, curation. (See also entry June 1, 2008, “Genome Data Base operations shut down by RTI International.” More GDB history.) [1998]
• Caenorhabditis elegans genome sequence completed. Science 282(5396), 2011. [December 11, 1998]
• DOE and NIH revealed new 5-year plan for HGP, predicting project completion by 2003. Science 282(5389), 682–89. [October 23, 1998]
• GeneMap ’98 containing 30,000 markers released. Science 282(5389), 744–46. [October 23, 1998]
• DOE JGI exceeded sequencing goal, achieving 20 Mb for FY 1998. [September 1998]
• Incyte Pharmaceuticals announced plans to sequence human genome in 2 years. [August 1998]
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium sequenced. Nature 393, 537–44. [June 11, 1998]
• Celera Genomics formed to sequence much of human genome in 3 years using HGP-generated resources. Science 280(5369), 1540–42. [June 5, 1998]
• DOE began funding of production BAC end sequencing projects. [1998]
• Human Genome Project passed midpoint. [May 1998]
• Largest-ever ELSI meeting attended by over 800 from diverse disciplines and sponsored by DOE; the Whitehead Institute; and the American Society of Law, Medicine, and Ethics. [April 23–24, 1998]

1997

• UNESCO adopted Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights. [November 11, 1997]
• 1997 Human Genome Program Report published. [November 1997]
• 1997 DOE Human Genome Program Contractor-Grantee Workshop VI, Santa Fe, NM [November 9–13, 1997]
• DOE-NIH Task Force on Genetic Testing released final report and recommendations.  [September 1997]
• Escherichia coli genome sequence completed. Science 277(5331), 1453–62. [September 5, 1997]
• High-resolution physical map of chromosome X completed. Genome Research 7, 210-222. [March 1997]
• High-resolution physical map of chromosome 7 completed. Genome Research 7, 673–92 [July 1, 1997]
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) genome sequence completed by international consortium. See also Saccharomyces Genome Database. Nature 387, 459–62. [May 29, 1997]
• Second large-scale sequencing strategy meeting held in Bermuda. See also meeting summary. [February 27–March 2, 1997]
• DOE formed Joint Genome Institute for implementing high-throughput activities at DOE human genome centers, initially in sequencing and functional genomics. (See also DOE JGI.) [January 1997]
• NIH NCHGR became National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). [January 1997]

1996

• Methanococcus jannaschii genome sequence; confirmed existence of third major branch of life on earth. Science 273(5278), 1043–45 and 1058–73. [August 23, 1996]
• DOE initiated 6 pilot projects on BAC end sequencing. [Summer 1996]
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 passed. HIPPA prohibits use of genetic information in certain health insurance eligibility decisions and requires U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to enforce health-information privacy provisions. [1996]
• DOE and NCHGR issued guidelines on use of human subjects for large-scale sequencing projects. See also NIH, 1993 Protecting Human Research Subjects. [August 19, 1996]
• Sequence of the human T-cell receptor region completed. Science 272(5269), 1755–62. [June 21, 1996]
• NHGRI hosts workshop on DNA Sequence Validation. [April 15, 1996]
• Landmark Paper: “The I.M.A.G.E. Consortium: An integrated molecular analysis of genomes and their expression,” Genomics, 33, 151–52 [April 1996]
• NHGRI releases policy regarding intellectual property of human genomic sequence. [April 9, 1996]
• Bermuda conference sequence data release policies set. Wellcome Trust sponsored large-scale sequencing strategy meeting for international coordination of human genome sequencing. [February 25, 1996]
• 1996 DOE Human Genome Program Contractor-Grantee Workshop V, Santa Fe, NM [January 28–February 1, 1996]

1995

• Special Anniversary Issue of Human Genome News: “Summarizing the history and progress of the project’s first five years.” HGN 7(3-4). [September–December 1995]
  • 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]
• LLNL announced a high-resolution physical map of chromosome 19. [Nature Genetics 11(4), 422–27. [December 1995]
• Physical map with over 15,000 STS markers published. Science 270(5244), 1945–54. [December 22, 1995)]
• Sequence of smallest bacterium, Mycoplasma genitalium, completion announced in May; provided a model of the minimum number of genes needed for independent existence. Science 270(5235), 397–404. [October 20, 1995]
• LANL announced a high-resolution physical map of chromosome 16. Nature 377(6547 Suppl), 335–65. [September 28, 1995]
• Moderate-resolution maps published of the following chromosomes
  • Chromosome 3 [Nature 377(6547 Suppl), 299–319. [September 28, 1995]
  • Chromosome 11[Genomics 29(2), 512–25. [September 20, 1995]
  • Chromosome 12 [Nature 377(6547 Suppl), 321–33. [September 28, 1995]
  • Chromosome 22 [Human Molecular Genetics 4(1), 59–69. [January 1995]
• LLNL chromosome paints commercialized. [September 1995]
• First (nonviral) whole genome sequence announced in May (for the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae). Science 269(5223), 468–70. [July 28, 1995]
• EEOC guidelines extended ADA employment protection to cover discrimination based on genetic information related to illness, disease, or other conditions. [March 1995; See also 2008 Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act]

1994

• Completion of second-generation DNA clone libraries representing each human chromosome by LBNL and LLNL.“Biology and Biotechnology,” Energy & Technology Review, p. 49. [December 1994]
• 1994 DOE Human Genome Program Contractor-Grantee Workshop IV, Santa Fe, NM [November 13–17, 1994]
• Genetic-mapping 5-year goal achieved one year ahead of schedule. Detailed human genetic map completed. See J.C. Murray et al. “A comprehensive human linkage map with centimorgan density. Cooperative Human Linkage Center (CHLC),” Science 265(5181), 2049–54. [September 30, 1994]
• Researchers at the University of Utah and the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences announce the discovery of the BRCA1 gene. See, “A strong candidate for the breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1,” Science, 266, 66–71. [November 1994]
• Genetic Privacy Act, first U.S. HGP legislative product, proposed to regulate collection, analysis, storage, and use of DNA samples and genetic information obtained from them; endorsed by the Joint ELSI Working Group. [1994]
• DOE Microbial Genome Project launched—spin-off of HGP. [1994]
• SBH technologies from ANL commercialized. See also “DNA sequence determination by hybridization: A strategy for efficient large-scale sequencing,” Science 260(5114), 1649–52 (June 11, 1993)]. [February 1994]
• DOE HGP Information Web site activated for public and researchers. [1994]
• Robert Cook-Deegan publishes, “The Gene Wars: Science, Politics, and the Human Genome.” The book details the history of the HGP and is available for free download. [1994] (https://www.genome.duke.edu/press/books/gene-wars/)

1993

• International IMAGE Consortium established to coordinate efficient mapping and sequencing of gene-representing cDNAs. See HGN article. [1993]
  • [See also “Hot papers in genomics,” The Scientist 13(4), 17 (February 15, 1999); and G. Lennon et al. “The I.M.A.G.E. Consortium: An integrated molecular analysis of genomes and their expression,” Genomics, 33, 151–52 (1996)].
• DOE-NIH ELSI Working Group’s Task Force on Genetic and Insurance Information released recommendations. [1993]
• DOE and NIH issued revised 5-year goals. Science 262, 43–46. [October 1, 1993]
• French Généthon provided mega-YACs to the genome community. [1993]
• IOM released U.S. HGP-funded report, Assessing Genetic Risks: Implications for Health and Social Policy. Download, National Academies Press. [1993]
• Sequencing by hybridization (SBH) concept validated. See “DNA sequence determination by hybridization: A strategy for efficient large-scale sequencing.” Science 260(5114), 1649–52. [June 11, 1993]
• LBNL implemented novel transposon-mediated chromosome-sequencing system. [For more information, see “Machines and Human Genome Project,” paragraph 49, beginning “Of the programs developed…,” LBNL Science (Spring 1992).] [1993]
• GRAIL sequence-interpretation service began providing Internet access at ORNL. [1993]
• 1993 Human Genome Program Report published. [March 1994]
• 1993 DOE Human Genome Program Contractor-Grantee Workshop III, Santa Fe, NM [February 7–10, 1993]

1992

• Data Sharing Policy: Guidelines for data release and resource sharing announced by DOE and NIH. [December 7, 1992]
• “Mapping the genome: The vision, the science, the implementation; What is the genome project?” [A round-table discussion at Los Alamos National Laboratory 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 Science 20, 68–102. [1992]
• 1991–1992 Human Genome Program Report published. [June 1992]
• Low-resolution genetic linkage map of entire human genome published. [J. Weissenbach et al. “A second-generation linkage map of the human genome.” Nature 359, 794–801. [October 1992]
• NIH/CEPH Collaborative Mapping Group. “A comprehensive genetic linkage map of the human genome.” Science 258(5079):67-86. [October 2, 1992]

1991

• ESTs first proposed as a useful way to find genes in the genome. See M.D. Adams et al. “Complementary DNA sequencing: Expressed sequence tags and human genome project.” Science, 252, 1651–56. [June 21, 1991]
• 1992 DOE Human Genome Program Contractor-Grantee Workshop II, Santa Fe, NM [February 17–20, 1991]
• FASEB Journal produces a themed issue with numerous articles about the human genome. Among those included are
  • Watson, James D. and Cook-Deegan, Robert Mullan. “Origins of the Human Genome Project.” FASEB Journal 5(1): 8–11. [January 1991]
  • McKusick, Victor A. “Current Trends in Mapping Human Genes.” FASEB Journal 5(1):12–20. [January 1991]
  • Bodmer, Walter F. “HUGO: The Human Genome Organization.” FASEB Journal 5(1): 73–74. [January 1991]
  • Murray, Thomas H. “Ethical Issues in Human Genome Research.” FASEB Journal 5(1): 55–60. [January 1991]

1990

• Human chromosome mapping data repository, Genome Databank (GDB), established. [1990]
• “The genetic map is back on track after delays,” Science 248, 805. [May 18, 1990]
• “Orchestrating the Human Genome Project.” Charles Cantor, Science 248(4951), 49–51. [April 6, 1990]
• “The Human Genome Project: Past, present, and future.” J.D. Watson, Science 248(4951), 44–49. [April 6, 1990]
• Projects begun to mark gene sites on chromosome maps as sites of mRNA expression. [1990]
• Research and development begun for efficient production of more stable, large-insert BACs. [1990]
• ELSI programs founded at NIH and DOE. Proposals requested January and March, respectively. More information. [1990]
• 1989–1990 Human Genome Program Report published. [March 1990]
• DOE and NIH presented joint 5-year U.S. HGP plan to Congress. The 15-year HGP formally began. [February 1990]
• Understanding our Genetic Inheritance. The U.S. Human Genome Project: The First Five Years FY 1991–1995 published. DOE/ER-0452P. [1990]

1989

• First DOE Human Genome Program Contractor-Grantee Workshop, Santa Fe, NM [November 3–4, 1989]
• “The Santa Cruz Workshop, May 1985,” by Robert Sinsheimer. Genomics 5(4): 954–56. [November 1989]
• “The Human Genome Program at the NIH,” by James D. Watson and Elke Jordan. Genomics 5(3), 654–656 [October 1989]
• “The Human Genome Initiative of the Department of Energy (DOE),” by Benjamin Barnhart. Genomics 5(3), 657–60. [October 1989]
• DNA STSs recommended to correlate diverse types of DNA clones. [See also material from
  • “A common language for physical mapping of the human genome“ Science 245, 1434–35. [September 29, 1989]
  • “New game plan for genome mapping,” Science 245, 1438–40. [September 29, 1989]
• DOE and NIH established Joint ELSI Working Group. More information. [1989]
• Human Genome News began publication in 1989 and continued until 2002. It was sponsored by the genome program of the Department of Energy Office of Biological and Environmental Research.
• “The Human Genome Organization: History, purposes, and membership,” by Victor McKusick. Genomics, 5(2) 385-387 [August 1989]

1988

• Roberts, Leslie. “Carving up the human genome.” Science 242(4883): 1244–46. [December 2, 1988]
• DOE and NIH signed MOU outlining plans for cooperation on genome research. [Fall 1988]
• DeLisi, Charles. “The Human Genome Project.” American Scientist, 76(5): 488–93. [ September–October 1988]
• Barnhart, Benjamin. “The Human Genome Project: A DOE Perspective.” Basic Life Sciences 46, 161–66. [1988]
• Reports by congressional OTA and NAS NRC committees recommended concerted genome research program. [1988]
  • Mapping Our Genes—Genome Projects: How big? How fast? Report from the U.S. Congress Office of Technology Assessment. [1988]
  • Mapping and Sequencing the Human Genome. Report from the National Research Council Commission on Life Sciences, National Academy Press, Washington, DC [1988]
• Human Genome Organisation (HUGO) founded by scientists to coordinate efforts internationally. [April 1988]
• First annual Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory meeting on human genome mapping and sequencing. See also Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Oral History Collection. [April–May 1988]
• Research finding: Telomere (chromosome end) sequence having implications for aging and cancer research identified at LANL. [1988]

1987

• “The genome project,” New York Times Magazine 12–13. [December 13, 1987]
• Congressionally chartered DOE advisory committee, HERAC, unanimiously recommended a 15-year, multidisciplinary, scientific, and technological undertaking to map and sequence the human genome. DOE designated multidisciplinary human genome centers. (See “Report on the Human Genome Initiative,” prepared by HERAC, U.S. DOE Document ER-0382; see also “Human genome sequencing plan wins unanimous approval in US.” Nature 326, 429. [April 2, 1987]
• NIH NIGMS begins funding of genome projects. [1987]

1986

• Technologies for Detecting Heritable Mutations in Human Beings, U.S. Congress Office of Technology Assessment Report, OTA-H-298, Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. [September 1986]
• LI: Molecular Biology of Homo Sapiens meeting, Cold Spring Harbor Symposia on Quantitative Biology, New York. [May 28–June 4, 1986]
• Letter from Alvin Trivelpiece to Mortimer Mendelsohn, with numerous supporting documents. Text unavailable. [May 22, 1986]
• Two Memos from Charles DeLisi to Alvin Trivelpiece: (1) “Information on a major new initiative: Mapping and sequencing the human genome” and (2) “Information on Human Genome Project” [May 6, 1986]
• First Santa Fe Conference held (summary report) to assess the feasibility of pursuing a Human Genome Project. [March 1986]
  • “Sequencing the human genome,” M. Bitensky, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM.
  • Meetings that changed the world: Santa Fe 1986: [Human genome] baby steps Charles DeLisi, Nature 455(7215), 876–77 [October 16, 2008]
  • Mark Bitensky letter to Charles DeLisi summarizing the March 1986 Santa Fe meeting. [April 2, 1986]

1985

• The online database, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), was created in 1985 by a collaboration between the National Library of Medicine and the William H. Welch Medical Library at Johns Hopkins. This database was initiated in the early 1960s by Dr. Victor A. McKusick as a printed catalog of mendelian traits and disorders, entitled Mendelian Inheritance in Man (MIM).
• Robert Sinsheimer holds meeting on human genome sequencing at University of California, Santa Cruz. See R.L. Sinsheimer, “The Santa Cruz Workshop.” Genomics 5, 954. [May 1986]
• OHER’s Charles DeLisi and David A. Smith commissioned the first Santa Fe conference to assess the feasibility of a Human Genome Initiative. (See also March 3–4, 1986, conference report. [1985]

1984

• DOE OHER and ICPEMC cosponsored Alta, Utah, conference highlighting the growing role of recombinant DNA technologies. OTA incorporated Alta proceedings into report acknowledging value of human genome reference sequence. Robert Cook-Deegan, “The Alta summit, December 1984,” Genomics 5, 661–63. [1984]

1983

• LANL and LLNL began production of DNA clone (cosmid) libraries representing single chromosomes. [1983]

1977 Genome Project–Enabling Legislation

• DOE Organization Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-91) mandated the Department of Energy to “assure incorporation of national environmental protection goals in the formulation and implementation of energy programs”; “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.” [1977]

1974 Genome Project–Enabling Legislation

• Federal Non-Nuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-577) authorized the Energy Research and Development Agency (ERDA, predecessor agency to DOE) to conduct a comprehensive non-nuclear energy research, development, and demonstration program to include the environmental and social consequences of the various related technologies. [1974]
• Federal Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-438) provided that responsibilities of the Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA, predecessor agency to DOE) shall include “engaging in and supporting environmental, biomedical, physical, and safety research related to the development of energy resources and utilization technologies.” [1974]

1954 Genome Project–Enabling Legislation

• Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (P.L. 83-706) authorized the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC, predecessor agency to ERDA and DOE) “to conduct research on the biologic effects of ionizing radiation.” [1954]

1946 Genome Project–Enabling Legislation

• 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. [1946]

---