New Human Genome Plan
During the latter part of 1998, the National Human Genome Research
Institute (NHGRI) endorsed a new five-year plan for the Human Genome Project. The prime
focus for this revised plan is to complete the entire human genome sequence by the year
2003. This will be two years ahead of their previous schedule.
To achieve this accelerated schedule, it will require significant changes within the NHGRI
research process. This plan is expected to result in shortening the time between
completing a set of gene sequencing, and getting the data to other members of the
scientific community.
This should have a tremendous impact on speeding up subsequent research efforts which are
necessary in order to develop specific methods for applying the knowledge about any gene
sequencing. The updated plan reaffirms NHGRI’s commitment to bring genetic
technologies into the real health care delivery world on an expedited basis. Also
reaffirmed is the institutes commitment to continue to explore associated ethical, legal,
and social issues.
On the internet, you may obtain more information about the Human Genome Project and their
new five-year plan at:
http://www.nhgri.nih.gov
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January / February 1999
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