[The human genome project in the year 2000]

The human genome project was officially launched in 1990. This program started with a mapping phase which led to the development of a genetic map, a physical map based on large DNA fragments and more recently, a map of genes. Since 1996, the programme has progressively shifted to massive sequencing. A spectacular acceleration has occurred during the last 12 months and about 90% of the sequence is at present available in a draft format. This will be soon followed by a more complete version and by the progressive completion of each of the 24 chromosomes, a few of which being already in a "finished" state. It is to be hoped that the genome sequence, which can be used to efficiently identify genes involved in Mendelian phenotypes and which will lead to a better understanding of the evolution process, will also allow us to address other questions, such as those involving multifactorial inheritance.