May 31, 2007: James Watson’s Genome Sequence Completed

On May 31, 2007, the complete genome of the American molecular biologist James Watson, best known for co-discoverering the structure of DNA in 1953, was sequenced costing within a million US dollar. The data was stored on a DVD. Watson published the sequencing result to the academic community, setting a precedent for disclosing personal genetic sequences. However, Watson retained the apoE gene sequence related to Alzheimer’s disease, and Watson does not want to know his risk of having this disease.

Reference
http://www.nature.com/news/2007/070528/full/news070528-10.html

Image Source
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/05/james-watson-nobel-auction_n_6275526.html

Author

GeneOnline