The International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reports the results of an international collaboration to produce and make freely available a draft sequence of the human genome. The draft sequence, generated from a physical map covering more than 96% of the euchromatic part of the human genome, covers about 94% of the human genome. The sequence was produced over a relatively short period, with coverage rising from about 10% to more than 90% over roughly fifteen months. The sequence data have been made available without restriction and updated daily throughout the project. The task ahead is to produce a finished sequence, by closing all gaps and resolving all ambiguities. The human genome sequence is of interest in several respects, including the distribution of genes, transposable elements, GC content, CpG islands, and recombination rate, which provide important clues about function. The consortium also presents an initial analysis of the sequence, focusing on the broad chromosomal landscape, repeat elements, and the rich paleontological record of evolutionary and biological processes.The International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reports the results of an international collaboration to produce and make freely available a draft sequence of the human genome. The draft sequence, generated from a physical map covering more than 96% of the euchromatic part of the human genome, covers about 94% of the human genome. The sequence was produced over a relatively short period, with coverage rising from about 10% to more than 90% over roughly fifteen months. The sequence data have been made available without restriction and updated daily throughout the project. The task ahead is to produce a finished sequence, by closing all gaps and resolving all ambiguities. The human genome sequence is of interest in several respects, including the distribution of genes, transposable elements, GC content, CpG islands, and recombination rate, which provide important clues about function. The consortium also presents an initial analysis of the sequence, focusing on the broad chromosomal landscape, repeat elements, and the rich paleontological record of evolutionary and biological processes.