Human Genome Project
Human Genome Project (HGP), an international project to analyze the genome, or complete set of genetic material, of the human species. The human genome is composed of some 3 billion subunits, called nucleotides, arranged in chains along threadlike structures called chromosomes. There are four types of nucleotides, and the sequences in which they occur determine both the basic biological traits of human beings and the variations that occur from individual to individual.
The HGP, started in 1990, by 2000 had mapped virtually all of the human genome and determined the nucleotide sequences of about 85 per cent of it. HGP has led to the discovery of particular genes (specific segments of nucleotides) that contribute to diseases such as muscular dystrophy and certain cancers. This knowledge may help doctors and medical specialists improve treatments and find cures for these diseases.
Government-sponsored laboratories in many countries have participated in the HGP, and private companies have provided important assistance. In 2000, one private company, Celera, placed restrictions on the use of its sequencing data, prompting criticism from many scientists.