IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 180 

Recognizing the sequencing of the human genome as one of the most significant scientific accomplishments of the past 100 years and expressing 

support for the designation of April 25, 2013, as ‘‘DNA Day’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 25, 2013 

Ms. SLAUGHTER (for herself, Mr. BURGESS, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, and Ms. 

SPEIER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the sequencing of the human genome as one 

of the most significant scientific accomplishments of the 

past 100 years and expressing support for the designation of April 25, 2013, as ‘‘DNA Day’’. 

Whereas April 25, 2013, is the 60th anniversary of the publication of the description of the double-helical structure of 

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the scientific journal Nature by James D. Watson and Francis H.C. Crick, which 

is considered by many to be one of the most significant 

scientific discoveries of the 20th century; 

Whereas their discovery launched a field of inquiry that explained how DNA encoded biological information and how 

this information is duplicated and passed from generation 


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to generation, forming the stream of life that connects us 

all to our ancestors and to our descendants; 

Whereas this field of inquiry in turn was crucial to the founding and continued growth of the field of biotechnology 

and of genomics, which have led to historic scientific advances for the world, advances in which the people of the 

United States have played a leading role and from which 

they have realized significant benefits; 

Whereas from 1990 to 2003, genomic research centers in the 

United States and around the world worked together on 

the Human Genome Project, which elucidated the sequence of the human genome, the genetic blueprint of the 

human body, and made that data available publicly; 

Whereas April 14, 2013, marked the 10th anniversary of the 

Human Genome Project’s completion; 

Whereas the sequencing of the human genome has already 

fostered research discoveries that have led to advances in 

medicine, and as genome sequencing becomes faster and 

less expensive, will enable researchers to further improve 

human health and medical care; 

Whereas the cost and time needed to sequence a human genome has decreased rapidly, from $1,000,000,000 and 6 

to 8 years during the Human Genome Project to less 

than $5,000 and 2 to 3 days in 2013; 

Whereas in 1990, when the Human Genome Project began, 

there were only 4 FDA-approved drugs with 

pharmacogenomic information on their labels, and then 

by 2013, this number had increased to over 100; 

Whereas a study conducted by the Battelle Institute found 

that for every dollar of United States Federal investment 


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in the Human Genome Project, there was $141 in economic activity generated in return; 

Whereas the National Human Genome Research Institute of 

the National Institutes of Health has provided an exemplary model for social responsibility in scientific research, 

by devoting significant resources and leadership to studying the ethical, legal, and social implications of genomics 

research; 

Whereas genomic medicine will be enhanced by increasing the 

public’s awareness and understanding of genomics; and 

Whereas April 25, 2013, is an appropriate day to designate 

as ‘‘DNA Day’’ in celebration of the 60th anniversary of 

the publication describing the structure of DNA on April 

25, 1953: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes the sequencing of the human ge3 nome as one of the most significant scientific accom4 plishments of the past 100 years; 

5 (2) honors the 60th anniversary of the out6 standing accomplishment of describing the structure 

7 of DNA and the 10th anniversary of completing the 

8 Human Genome Project; 

9 (3) supports the designation of ‘‘DNA Day’’; 

10 and 

11 (4) encourages schools, museums, cultural orga12 nizations, and other educational institutions in the 

13 United States to recognize ‘‘DNA Day’’ with approVerDate Mar 15 2010 22:21 Apr 25, 2013 Jkt 029200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR180.IH HR180

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1 priate programs and activities centered on human 

2 genomics. 

Æ 


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