'Gene count' showdown

Rival scientists and companies have been challenged to a 'gene count' showdown. In February, draft sequences of the entire human genome were published by the publicly funded human genome project (HGP) and Celera Genomics, both estimating the total number of genes to be between 30,000 and 40,000.

But some biotech companies have challenged these figures. William Haseltine, the head of Human Genome Sciences, Maryland, claims that his company has found more than 90,000 genes. Other companies estimate the number to be above 60,000, and sell gene chips based on this higher number. A group at Ohio State University says that gene prediction programs tend to miss large amounts of genes. It has analysed the same information that the HGP did and believes there may be about 80,000 genes. Craig Venter of Celera is defending the lower estimates.

It is not the accuracy of the draft sequences that is in question, but how specific genes are identified. Haseltine claims that his method provides evidence for over 10,000 genes that have not yet been identified. Celera and the HGP say that their sequences do include them.

The rival parties seem to be heading for a 'showdown'. Eric Lander of the Whitehead Institute, which was involved in the HGP says: 'There's a simple way to settle the question. Let's randomly select three per cent of the genome, have everyone declare the genes that they believe to be in that region, and test the proposed genes.'