A Flurries of Discoveries and Accomplishments

Late 1980’s witnessed some very significant discoveries, from oncomouse to oncogene, from oil-eating bacteria to genetically modified foods. Also of paramount importance is the Human Genome Project which was established in 1990 and completed the mapping of some 20,000 to 25,000 human genes by 2003.

The first oncological mouse for cancer research and the first oil eating microorganism for oil pollution were both patented in the late 1980s. Discovery of Oncogene, a gene that is capable of inducing cancer in animals followed in 1989. Human Genome Project started in 1990 and completed in 2003, to discover the estimated 20,000 to 25,000 human genes accessible for further biological study. Since 1994, genetically modified foods (GMO) have gradually received federal approval for human consumption, and are largely accepted by the general public.