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Article: Human Genome Project
- Article from:
- Encyclopedia of Public Health
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CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 The Gale Group Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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HUMAN GENOME PROJECT
The Human Genome Project (HGP) is an international research program that aims to spell out the complete genetic inheritance of human beings and selected experimental animals. The HGP's goal is to decode the complete DNA inheritance, or genome, of human beings by 2003; following completion of a draft in 2000 that charted 90 percent of the human DNA inheritance. In addition to decoding human and animal DNA, the HGP trains scientists, develops techniques for analyzing genomes, and examines the ethical, legal, and social implications of human genetics research.
DNA is the long thread of a molecule that carries genes. Each strand of DNA, packaged as a chromosome, bears ...