DNA and Gene Sequencing IntroductionDNA and gene sequencing began in the mid-1970s. At the time, scientists could only sequence a few gene pairs per year. They couldn't sequence enough to constitute a single gene, much less the entire human genome. (DNA Sequencing) As of the 1990s, only a few laboratories had been able to sequence just 100,00 genetic bases, and the costs for sequencing were extremely high. Since then, technological improvements have increased the speed and decreased the cost of gene sequencing to the point that some laboratories have sequenced well over 100 million bases of DNA per year. (DNA Sequencing) The Human Genome Project, or HGP, was created to help develop new and better tools to make the hunt for genes faster, cheaper and more convenient for almost all scientists. The tools created by this project included genetic maps, physical maps, and DNA sequence maps. The greatest achievement of the HGP was the success in sequencing the entire length of human DNA, called the human genome. Once the sequencing of the human genome was completed, the HGP was able to sequence the genes of several key organisms, such as mice, mosquitoes, and plants such as mustard and rice. (Figure 1) The simplicity of the genetic structure of these organisms makes them perfect for future technological development. (DNA Sequencing) Providing a reference sequence for the human genome and the human genome is an amazing achievement in the field of genetic sequencing, further advances in sequencing technology will need to be made so that large quantities of DNA can be processed and compared with other genomes quickly and cheaply. Scientists need to know the sequences of multiple different genetic bases because that tells them what kind of genetic information...... middle of article ...... Jauregui, Lupski and Gibbs) Works Cited Adnan, Amna. DNA sequencing: method, advantages and applications. July 14, 2010. March 17, 2014 .DNA sequencing. December 27, 2011. March 18, 2014 .Gonzaga-Jauregui, Cludia, James R Lupski, and Richard A Gibbs. Human genome sequencing in health and disease. 2012. March 17, 2014. Porter, Sandra. Basics: How do you sequence a genome? Part IV. How many readings are necessary? January 30, 2007. March 28, 2014. University of Delaware. Interpretation of electropherograms. March 28, 2014 .Wetterstrand, Kris. Costs of DNA sequencing. February 17, 2014. March 17, 2014 .Winstead, Edward R. Humans and mice finally together. May 31, 2002. March 22 2014 .