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Human Genome Project Information Archive
1990–2003

Archive Site Provided for Historical Purposes


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Human Genome News Archive Edition
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Vol.11, No. 3-4   July 2001

DeLisi Honored by President

Charles DeLisi (Boston University), DOE Associate Director for Health and Environmental Research in the mid-1980s, was one of 28 honorees to whom President Bill Clinton presented the Presidential Citizens Medal on January 8. According to the award citation, DeLisi was the first government scientist to conceive and outline the feasibility, goals, and parameters of the Human Genome Project. He helped to galvanize an international team of researchers to pool resources, create new technologies, and launch the monumental task of gene mapping and sequencing.

At the presentation ceremony President Clinton added, "Charles DeLisi's imagination and determination helped to ignite the revolution in sequencing that would ultimately unravel the code of human life itself. Thanks to his vision and leadership, in the year 2000 we announced the complete sequencing of the human genome. Researchers are now closer than ever to finding therapies and cures for ailments once thought untreatable."

Established in 1969 by Executive Order 11494, the medal is awarded at the president's sole discretion to U.S. citizens (living or dead) who have performed exemplary deeds of service for the nation or for their fellow citizens. The 2001 award winners were recognized for their remarkable service and accomplishments in a variety of areas, including civil rights, medicine and health, sports, human rights, religion, education, disability advocacy, government service, journalism, and the environment. They include Hank Aaron, Muhammad Ali, Elizabeth Taylor, Ronald Brown, Archibald Cox, Robert Rubin, Warren Rudman, and Charles Ruff.


The electronic form of the newsletter may be cited in the following style:
Human Genome Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Human Genome News (v11n3-4).

Human Genome Project 1990–2003

The Human Genome Project (HGP) was an international 13-year effort, 1990 to 2003. Primary goals were to discover the complete set of human genes and make them accessible for further biological study, and determine the complete sequence of DNA bases in the human genome. See Timeline for more HGP history.

Human Genome News

Published from 1989 until 2002, this newsletter facilitated HGP communication, helped prevent duplication of research effort, and informed persons interested in genome research.