Hundred-year search for the human genome

The human genome has been an article of interest since the rediscovery of M endel's laws at the turn of the century (1900-1901). Much progress was made during the first decade (1900-1910) with respect to our understanding of f undamental aspects of human genetics, such as the chromosomal basis of here dity, biochemical genetics, and population genetics. The development of the se fields of inquiry languished for several decades but then advanced rapid ly, However, human gene mapping stalled until 1970 when somatic cell geneti c methods were introduced. The contributions of hybrid cell mapping to phys ical methods of genome analysis are described, and its legacy as an anteced ent to the human genome initiative is discussed. Lastly, some properties of the 2000-2001 version of the human genome are briefly outlined.