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Mapping and Sequencing the Human Genome: How to Proceed

Bio/Technology volume 5, pages 933–939 (1987)Cite this article

Abstract

The proposal to map and sequence the genome has engendered a controversy among biologists—a controversy that involves personalities and politics, as well as scientific judgments of the probable course of future development in the technologies for mapping and sequencing. Some of the key issues are: • Is sequencing the human genome an intellectually appropriate project for biologists? • Is sequencing the human genome feasible? How long will it take? What will it cost? What is the accuracy of the sequencing procedures, and how will these affect the usefulness of the information? • What benefits might arise from this project? Do they justify the cost? Are there alternative methods for achieving the same benefits? • Will this project compete with other areas of biology for funding and intellectual resources? If so, is it worth it? • This project will eventually require large and coordinated efforts. What implications will this “big science” have for modern biology? In this paper, we will discuss the technologies used in mapping and sequencing, discuss the above issues in that context, and present our proposed approach to mapping and sequencing the human genome.

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  1. Division of Biology, 147-75, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125

    Lloyd Smith & Leroy Hood

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Smith, L., Hood, L. Mapping and Sequencing the Human Genome: How to Proceed. Nat Biotechnol 5, 933–939 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0987-933

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