jan 1, 1990 - 1990: The Human Genome Project begins

Description:

In 1988, The National Research Council recommended a program to map the human genome. The Human Genome Project officially started in 1990, with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) publishing a plan for the first five years of the anticipated 15 year project.

Many organisations had a long-standing interest in mapping the human genome for the sake of advancing medicine, but also for purposes such as the detection of mutations that nuclear radiation might cause.

The project's goals included: mapping the human genome and determining all 3.2 billion letters in it, mapping and sequencing the genomes of other organisms, if it would be useful to the study of biology, developing technology for the purpose of analysing DNA and studying the social, ethical and legal implications of genome research.

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