Scientists have finally managed to decode the entire human genome What is the significance of this?

“We are just expanding our opportunities to understand human disease,” said one of the study participants, in research that culminates decades of work.

Scientists say they have compiled the complete genetic blueprint for human life, adding the missing pieces to a puzzle completed nearly two decades ago.

On Thursday, the journal Science published research in which an international team described the first-ever sequence of a complete human genome, and the genome is a complete set of human genetic information.

An earlier effort, celebrated around the world, was incomplete because DNA sequencing technologies at the time were unable to read certain parts of it, and even after updates about 8% of the genome was lost.

“Some of the genes that make us uniquely human were actually in this dark matter of the genome, and they were completely left out,” explains Evan Eichler, a researcher at the University of Washington who is involved in the current project and the original Human Genome Project. A year, but we got it done in the end,” he told The Associated Press.

Pointing to his disciples, Eichler added, "I was teaching them, 'Wait a minute. Isn't this the sixth time you guys have declared victory? But this time we really did it!'"

The scientists said this complete picture of the genome would give humanity a greater understanding of our evolution and biology, as well as open the door to medical discoveries in areas such as aging, neurodegenerative conditions, cancer and heart disease.

“We are just expanding our opportunities to understand human disease,” said Karen Mega, author of one of the six studies published today, in research that culminates decades of work.

The first draft of the human genome was announced at a White House ceremony in 2000.