- Sep 6, 2000
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When scientists at Celera Genomics announced two years ago that they had decoded the human genome, they said the genetic data came from anonymous donors and presented it as a universal human map. But the scientist who led the effort, Dr. J. Craig Venter, now says that the genome decoded was largely his own. Dr. Venter also says that he started taking fat-lowering drugs after analyzing his genes.
Reactions among scientists range from amusement to indifference, most saying that it is unimportant whose genome was sequenced. But members of Celera's scientific advisory board expressed disappointment that Dr. Venter subverted the anonymous selection process that they had approved.
Dr. Venter, a pioneer in the use of new DNA sequencing machines, challenged the government-supported effort to decode the human genome and held his academic rivals to a draw in June 2000, despite starting years later in the race. Both teams said their DNA sequence was based on the DNA of anonymous donors, with Celera's being drawn from a pool of 20 donors from 5 ethnic groups. But in an interview this week, Dr. Venter elaborated on his brief mention on "60 Minutes II" on April 17 that the Celera genome was based principally on his DNA.
In making this known, he has abandoned his genetic privacy in the most thorough way possible, even though for now only subscribers to Celera's genome database can browse through his genetic endowment.
When scientists at Celera Genomics announced two years ago that they had decoded the human genome, they said the genetic data came from anonymous donors and presented it as a universal human map. But the scientist who led the effort, Dr. J. Craig Venter, now says that the genome decoded was largely his own. Dr. Venter also says that he started taking fat-lowering drugs after analyzing his genes.
Reactions among scientists range from amusement to indifference, most saying that it is unimportant whose genome was sequenced. But members of Celera's scientific advisory board expressed disappointment that Dr. Venter subverted the anonymous selection process that they had approved.
Dr. Venter, a pioneer in the use of new DNA sequencing machines, challenged the government-supported effort to decode the human genome and held his academic rivals to a draw in June 2000, despite starting years later in the race. Both teams said their DNA sequence was based on the DNA of anonymous donors, with Celera's being drawn from a pool of 20 donors from 5 ethnic groups. But in an interview this week, Dr. Venter elaborated on his brief mention on "60 Minutes II" on April 17 that the Celera genome was based principally on his DNA.
In making this known, he has abandoned his genetic privacy in the most thorough way possible, even though for now only subscribers to Celera's genome database can browse through his genetic endowment.
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