Subscribe now

ADDRESSING the world from the White House, Bill Clinton called it “the most important, most wondrous map ever produced by humankind”. Others reached for the clichés: book of life, code of codes. Now, nearly two years on, it appears that the human genome—or at least one of the two competing versions—is largely a map (or book, or code…) of just one middle-aged, balding male.

Yes, after much whispered speculation, Craig Venter, the scientist who led the private-sector effort that so controversially tried to beat the public team to the finishing line, has finally come clean. The genome…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Popular articles

Trending New Scientist articles

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop