The Human Genome Project, launched in 1990, had the goal of determining the sequence of how many billion base pairs that make up human DNA?

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d) 3.0 billion
Explanation:
· The Human Genome Project (HGP) was an international scientific initiative launched in 1990 and completed in 2003.
· Its major objective was to sequence all 3.0 billion base pairs that constitute the human DNA.
· The project mapped around 20,000–25,000 genes, revolutionizing genetics and biotechnology.
· It helped identify the exact nucleotide order, providing insights into heredity, mutations, and genetic diseases.
· HGP was coordinated by agencies like the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and DOE, with global participation.
Information Booster:
· Human genome consists of: 3 billion base pairs, 23 chromosome pairs.
· Completed fully and published: April 2003.
Benefits:
· Early disease detection
· Gene therapy
· Personalized medicine
· Drug development
• India participated through CSIR labs and IGIB.
Additional Knowledge:
· 5.2 billion, 4.3 billion, 2.1 billion → Not scientifically accurate genome size values.
· The human genome size is consistently accepted as 3.0 × 10⁹ base pairs.