The Human Genome Project is an international project to discover all the 80,000 human genes (genome) that structures our bodies, and to determine the sequence of the 3 billion DNA bases that encode those genes. In this project, both the genetic part and the non-genetic part (junk DNA) are deciphered (for information on the cDNA project, which only sequences the genetic part, click here). When the Human Genome Project is completed, not only will it help in the medicine field- finding the cause and cures for various diseases and disabilities, but it will also have a big effect in fields such as biotechnology and biochemistry.
With the U.S., France, the United Kingdom, Japan and Germany as leading countries, over 18 countries participate in the project. The huge data of deciphered genes is controlled by HUGO (the Human Genome Organization), founded by scientists from around the world. The data is controlled on computer network, and is accesible to anyone.