Historical Materials Related to the International Human Genome Project: A Preliminary Examination for Their Use

Abstract

In March 2023, historical materials related to the International Human Genome Project were donated to the National Museum of Nature and Science by a Japanese scientist who had participated in the project as a representative from Japan. The authors organized these materials and prepared a catalogue of the collection. This paper provides an overview of the development of the International Human Genome Project and briefly reports on the contents of this collection. The collection includes published materials such as papers and articles from newspapers and magazines, as well as unpublished items such as correspondence, manuscripts, and meeting documents. Other materials include CD-ROMs containing the completed sequencing data and patent-related documents. The total number of items is approximately 1,760. Previous accounts on the International Human Genome Project have rarely been conducted as historical research based on accessible primary sources. This collection is expected to serve as empirical material for future studies.