Human genome

Article By:

Collins, Francis S. National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.

Jordan, Elke National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.

Last reviewed:April 2021

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.757575

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• Human genome, published June 2014:Download PDF Get Adobe Acrobat Reader

The complete set of genetic content (material) in humans. The human genome comprises the full genetic endowment of the human species. The determination of a high-quality, comprehensive version of the human genome sequence was the culmination of the work conducted by the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium, which announced this successful accomplishment of the Human Genome Project (HGP) in 2003. The sequence of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) [Fig. 1] produced by the HGP covered about 99% of the human genome's gene-containing regions and was sequenced to an accuracy of greater than 99.99%. In addition, the HGP accomplished a number of other, wide-ranging goals, including the sequencing of the genomes of model organisms and the development of new technologies to study whole genomes. See also: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA); Gene; Genetics; Genomics; Human genetics

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