The Human Genome Project: view from the Department of Energy.

The Human Genome Project (HGP), a research effort initiated by the Department of Energy (DOE) and jointly managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the DOE, will determine a representative (but complete) sequence of the DNA from a typical human cell. This information and the associated resources will help us understand the critical differences that make us individuals and lead to insights into many areas of medicine, biology, and biotechnology. The HGP was conceived because DOE and its predecessor agencies had a longstanding interest in developing more sensitive methods to detect genetic changes induced by ionizing radiation and to understand the related health effects. Additionally, the unique capabilities and resources of the DOE national laboratory system, including a multidisciplinary research environment, high-skill engineering and high-performance computing centers fostered the ideal conditions for the success of such an ambitious undertaking. Knowing the human genome will revolutionize the practice of biology in the next century with far-reaching implications to health care and sustainable development. In a novel departure from previous science programs, the Human Genome Project includes a subprogram devoted to the ethical, legal, and societal implications (ELSI) of human genome research.