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1995 ~ ban on genetic discrimination in workplace
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990. Its purpose is to provide equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. In 1995, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), issued a modification on the definition of "disability". It stated that the ADA would protect individuals subjected to discrimination on the "basis of genetic information relating to illness, disease or other disorders". -
1996 ~ human DNA sequence begins
In 1996, the National Human Genome Research Institute funded pilot projects to find efficient strategies for completely sequencing the human genome. The pilot projects tested the feasibility of large-scale sequencing, and explored how accurate and how costly alternative approaches might be. -
1997 ~ bermuda meeting affirms principal of data release
In February 1997, at the second HGP meeting on large-scale sequencing strategy, held in Bermuda, HGP researchers and officials affirmed the principles of rapid, public release of genome sequence data, without restrictions on use - later, widely called the "Bermuda principles." -
1998 ~ company announces sequencing plans
In May 1998, the company Celera Genomics was formed to sequence much of the human genome in three years. While, the company used many HGP-generated resources, unlike the HGP, which built detailed maps before sequencing defined regions, Celera used a shotgun sequencing strategy, in which the entire genome is fragmented and random segments are sequenced and then put in order. -
1999 ~ full scale human genome sequencing
In March 1999, HGP participants advanced their goal of obtaining draft sequence covering 90 percent of the human genome to 2000, a year and a half before projected previously. Full-scale human genome sequencing began. -
2000 ~ free access to genomic information
In March 2000, U.S. President Clinton and U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair stated that raw, fundamental data about human genome sequence and its variations should be freely available. The President and Prime Minister Blair issued a Joint Statement in an effort to ensure that the public derives the maximum possible benefit from the sequence of the human genome. -
2001 ~ first draft of the human genome sequence release
The Human Genome Project international consortium published a first draft and initial analysis of the human genome sequence. The draft sequence covered more than 90 percent of the human genome. -
2002 ~ rice genome sequenced
Two groups of researchers sequenced the genomes of related subspecies of rice. Rice is a food staple for over three billion people. It provides 20 percent of the world's dietary energy supply, while wheat supplies 19 percent and maize 5 percent. Scientists are using the data to create improved varieties of rice that grow in different environments and have desirable traits such as pest resistance and increased nutritional value. -
2003 ~ the first national DNA day celebrated
The United States Congress passed a resolution setting aside April 25th as National DNA Day. The date was chosen to mark the 50th anniversary of the publication of the landmark paper by Francis Crick and James Watson describing the double helix model of DNA and the recent official completion of the Human Genome Project.