On September 14, 2023, an important announcement emerged from Shenzhen’s BGI Life Sciences Institute, highlighting a significant initiative spearheaded by a coalition of Chinese scientists. In a recent editorial published in the prestigious academic journal *Cell Research*, researchers from 14 countries—including China, Greece, Malaysia, the UK, Belgium, Turkey, the US, and Singapore—have jointly called for the launch of the second phase of the Human Genome Project, referred to as HGP2.
The primary objective of this ambitious plan is to sequence the genomes of 80 million individuals across at least 100 countries, which accounts for roughly 1% of the global population. The initiative aims to delve into the genetic variations present in this data and their links to clinical outcomes, ultimately working towards the creation of a more comprehensive and diverse human genomic map. Additionally, the initiative involves the establishment of multi-omics population cohorts in at least 10 countries, which will enhance the development and accessibility of precision medicine, ensuring that everyone—especially minority groups—can benefit equitably from these scientific advancements. This collaborative effort represents a significant leap forward for the global scientific community in genomic research, with a strong emphasis on promoting health equity and medical progress.
Leading this initiative are notable scientists such as Wang Jian and Liu Weibin from BGI Group, Xu Xun, Jin Xin, and Li Yan from the BGI Life Sciences Institute, George Patrinos from the University of Patras in Greece, Xu Shuhua from Fudan University, Li Liming from Peking University, George Church from Harvard Medical School, Jurgen Reichardt from James Cook University in Australia, and Partha Majumder from the John Martin Liver Research and Innovation Center in India.
The original Human Genome Project (HGP), often likened to the “moon landing” of life sciences, was initiated in 1990 and wrapped up in 2003. Over the course of 13 years, scientists from the US, UK, Japan, Germany, France, and China invested $3.8 billion into this groundbreaking project, which is now regarded alongside the Manhattan Project and the Apollo moon landing as one of the three monumental scientific endeavors of the 20th century. The successful completion of the HGP has significantly accelerated research in genomics and fostered advancements in precision medicine. A study from the Bayh-Dole Institute found that the return on investment for the US from the HGP between 1993 and 2003 was an impressive 1:141.
In their editorial, the multinational group of scientists noted that two decades have elapsed since the original HGP’s conclusion, which has considerably advanced the fields of precision medicine and public health. However, they stressed that further impactful progress hinges on global collaboration. They called upon lessons learned from past experiences to responsibly employ the right technologies and cooperative strategies to tackle pressing challenges. Moreover, they highlighted the necessity of striving to make precision medicine a universal gift available to all, particularly for future generations.
