This is where the Human Genome Project takes on the leading role. It has been deemed one of the greatest achievements in bioinformatic methods. It began in 1990 in the US and it is a collaborative effort of the Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health. The project was given 15 years to complete, however with accelerated effort HGP will be completed this year with the successful completion of the human genetic sequence and meeting its goals within 13 years. The project goals included the following: 11.
• identify all the approximately 30,000 genes in human DNA, .
• determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA, .
• store this information in databases, .
• improve tools for data analysis, .
• transfer related technologies to the private sector, and .
• address the ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) that may arise from the project .
Although the United States is one of the leading countries in the research of human genetics, it is not alone. A large international coalition exists including such countries as Australia, Brazil, China, Canada, United Kingdom, Mexico, etc. that have aided in its successful run. The Human Genome Organization, HUGO, has provided beneficial support in bringing together these countries to work and expand on the research together. One of HUGO's missions is "to promote the scientific study of the human genome, including the identification and functional analysis of the human genes, and encourage the free flow of information unconstrained by individual, industrial or national interest.12" Without the extensive use of advanced databases on which human genetic information can be stored and then analyzed, there would be no progress as such that we have seen thus far. However, no advancements are without their backlashes; although the study of human genetics may lead to the cure of devastating diseases such as AIDS and more recently SARS, it is not without its share of ethical and legal issues.
