# Canonical recap data for Human Genome Project Completed (2003)
# Source: https://recap.at/2003/human-genome-project
# Format: YAML 1.2 (UTF-8). Generated at request time.
slug: human-genome-project
canonicalUrl: "https://recap.at/2003/human-genome-project"
title: Human Genome Project Completed
aliases:
- HGP
- Human Genome Sequence Complete
- The Genome Project
subtitle: International sequencing of human DNA blueprint fundamentally redefined medicine and biological science.
recapType: global_event
eventStatus: concluded
startDate: 2003-01-01
datePrecision: year
year: 2003
decade: 2000
summaryShort: The Human Genome Project (HGP) was an international scientific research project with the goal of determining the base pairs that make up human DNA, and of identifying, mapping and sequencing all of the genes of the human genome from both a physical and a functional standpoint. It started in 1990 and was completed in 20
summaryLong: The Human Genome Project (HGP) was an international scientific research project with the goal of determining the base pairs that make up human DNA, and of identifying, mapping and sequencing all of the genes of the human genome from both a physical and a functional standpoint. It started in 1990 and was completed in 2003. It was the world's largest collaborative biological project. Planning for the project began in 1984 by the US government, and it officially launched in 1990. It was declared complete on 14 April 2003, and included about 92% of the genome. Level "complete genome" was achieved in May 2021, with only 0.3% of the bases covered by potential issues. The full gapless sequence containing 22 autosomes and the X chromosome was published in January 2022, making it the first fully sequenced human genome. The full sequence of the Y chromosome was only published in August 2023 due to challenges with sequencing and assembling, caused by its highly repetitive nature.
lede: In June 2003, scientists announced they had sequenced all 3 billion base pairs of human DNA—a feat that took 13 years and involved researchers from six countries. The completed Human Genome Project provided the first complete genetic blueprint of our species, fundamentally changing how we understand disease, inheritance, and human biology itself.
heroImageUrl: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Human_karyotype_with_bands_and_sub-bands.png/1280px-Human_karyotype_with_bands_and_sub-bands.png"
heroImageCredit: Wikipedia · "Human genome"
importance: 87
sourceConfidence: 75
keyFacts:
- label: Base pairs sequenced
  value: 3 billion
- label: Project duration
  value: 13 years (1990–2003)
- label: Initial budget estimate
  value: $3 billion USD
- label: Participating countries
  value: 6 (United States, United Kingdom, Japan, France, Germany, China)
- label: Genes identified
  value: Approximately 20,000–25,000
- label: Completion announcement
  value: June 26, 2003
- label: Project leader
  value: Francis Collins (public effort); Craig Venter (Celera Genomics competing effort)
timeline:
- date: 1990-10-01
  title: Human Genome Project officially launches
  description: The international 15-year effort begins under the leadership of Francis Collins at the National Institutes of Health and James Watson at the Department of Energy.
- date: 1998-05-09
  title: Celera Genomics announces competing genome effort
  description: Craig Venter's private company declares it will complete a human genome sequence by 2001 using a different (shotgun) sequencing strategy.
- date: 2000-06-26
  title: Working draft genome unveiled
  description: The public HGP and Celera Genomics simultaneously announce completion of a rough draft covering 90% of the genome. President Clinton and Prime Minister Blair make joint announcement.
- date: 2001-02-16
  title: Draft genome published simultaneously in two journals
  description: Nature publishes the public consortium's draft; Science publishes Celera's version. Both papers released same day to acknowledge parallel progress.
- date: 2003-04-14
  title: Final sequence completed two years ahead of schedule
  description: The HGP completes the full sequence with 99.99% accuracy, finishing ahead of its original 2005 target date.
- date: 2003-06-26
  title: Completion publicly announced
  description: International consortium announces successful completion of the Human Genome Project. President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair celebrate the milestone.
sources:
- url: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Genome_Project"
  title: Human Genome Project
  provider: Wikipedia
related: []
impactStatement: The HGP didn't just decode human DNA—it created the foundation for modern medicine. Within two decades, the project's data enabled personalized drug development, genetic disease screening, and a wholesale recalibration of how we think about human variation and ancestry.
categories:
- tech-launch
metaDescription: Scientists complete 13-year effort to sequence all 3 billion base pairs of human DNA in 2003, reshaping medicine and biology.
wikidataQid: Q192446
archiveSnapshots:
- url: "https://web.archive.org/web/20031229011833/http://en.wikipedia.org:80/wiki/Human_Genome_Project"
  capturedAt: 2003-12-29
  label: Human Genome Project
  originalUrl: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Genome_Project"
taxonomy:
domain: scientific
eventTypes:
- human_genome_milestone
canonicalClasses:
- discovery
- transformation
impactRadius: global
velocity: gradual
predictability: scheduled
intentionality: planned
domainCoupling: multi_domain
