All five major sites need to determine that they're finished, and coordinate a joint announcement. In April, Celera scientists announced they had completed the sequencing phase of the genome map. The company is now working to assemble the gene map to create a working draft. Celera officials also said they expect to make an announcement in mid-June, but also declined to commit to a specific date. Celera and its chief scientific officer, Craig Venter, have been somewhat vilified for wanting to make money from the human genome, but Venter defends himself, saying that a competitive environment is the only way to insure rapid scientific advancement.
Scientists then use powerful computers to reassemble the bits into a whole.
Researchers were skeptical that Venter could successfully use this technique on the human genome, since he had only succeeded in sequencing less-complicated genomes, such as those found in germs. Send it . Use this version. E-mail this to a friend. Wired Digital Inc., a Lycos Network site.