International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium

The International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium was a global collaboration of scientists and institutions working together to map the complete DNA sequence of the human genome—the entire set of our genetic material. Launched in the 1990s and successfully completed in 2003, their effort revealed the roughly 20,000-25,000 genes that make us human. This project has advanced our understanding of biology, genetics, and disease, providing a foundation for medical research, diagnostics, and personalized medicine. The consortium exemplifies international cooperation in science to achieve a major milestone in understanding human life at the molecular level.