Middle School
Worksheets
Human Genome Project
The Human Genome Project had big goals. Scientists running the project hoped to identify all of the genes in human DNA and to determine the sequence of the three billion chemical bases that the genes are made of. Not too long ago people would have said that those goals were impossible to meet.
Then in 2003 an announcement was made. Scientists announced that the goals of the Human Genome Project had been met - years ahead of schedule!
The human genome is the series of chemical bases that make up our DNA. That DNA makes up our genes. Genes are basic units of heredity. They are in every one of our cells, and they determine what traits we inherit from our ancestors. They also determine how likely it is that we will inherit certain medical conditions.
It was hoped that if the entire human genome could be mapped out, a database could be established for use by doctors and researchers.
For the Human Genome Project, scientists studied cells from several people who were all anonymous volunteers. Since there are small differences among the genes of different people, they would have to combine the results from all of the people studied. The scientists took tiny bits of genetic materials from each of the cells. They looked for patterns in the chemicals. They logged all of their information into a huge computer program. Bit by bit, they completed their database.
