The editorial team of BIO/TECHNOLOGY includes Douglas K. McCormick as editor, Harvey Bialy as research editor, Jennifer Van Brunt as senior editor, Arthur Klausner as associate editor, Bernard Dixon as contributing editor, Clair Berg as editorial assistant, Dorothy E. Schloerb as art director, Donna Zuckerman as production manager, Gary M. Rekstad as publisher, George F. Cominsky as advertising sales manager, and Hilary Turnbull as European advertising sales manager. The circulation director is Paul Siman. The editorial correspondence addresses are provided. The article discusses the debate over whether and when to sequence the human genome. Walter Gilbert of Harvard argues that sequencing should begin now, estimating that it would take 3,000–10,000 team-years to sequence the genome, followed by a million years of interpretation. With new instruments and techniques, the rate could increase to 1 million bases per team per year, allowing 150 researchers to sequence the genome in 20 years. With support staff, this could grow to 300 people, costing about $30 million annually. More advanced equipment could boost the rate to 30,000 bases per researcher-day, making the genome within reach. However, there are technical, financial, and philosophical barriers. Accuracy is still a problem, with error rates around 1 percent. Unclonable sequences and gaps in the genome could be difficult to fill. Some question the value of non-coding DNA, while others raise ethical concerns about whose genome is being sequenced. There is also concern that sequencing could divert funding from other research areas. Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of sequencing the human genome outweigh the drawbacks. The project should start now, beginning with the collection of human DNA libraries, creating maps, and developing instruments for fast, accurate sequencing. In a few years, sequencing can begin in earnest. The article concludes with a reference to the ancient Oracle of Delphi, emphasizing the importance of self-knowledge.The editorial team of BIO/TECHNOLOGY includes Douglas K. McCormick as editor, Harvey Bialy as research editor, Jennifer Van Brunt as senior editor, Arthur Klausner as associate editor, Bernard Dixon as contributing editor, Clair Berg as editorial assistant, Dorothy E. Schloerb as art director, Donna Zuckerman as production manager, Gary M. Rekstad as publisher, George F. Cominsky as advertising sales manager, and Hilary Turnbull as European advertising sales manager. The circulation director is Paul Siman. The editorial correspondence addresses are provided. The article discusses the debate over whether and when to sequence the human genome. Walter Gilbert of Harvard argues that sequencing should begin now, estimating that it would take 3,000–10,000 team-years to sequence the genome, followed by a million years of interpretation. With new instruments and techniques, the rate could increase to 1 million bases per team per year, allowing 150 researchers to sequence the genome in 20 years. With support staff, this could grow to 300 people, costing about $30 million annually. More advanced equipment could boost the rate to 30,000 bases per researcher-day, making the genome within reach. However, there are technical, financial, and philosophical barriers. Accuracy is still a problem, with error rates around 1 percent. Unclonable sequences and gaps in the genome could be difficult to fill. Some question the value of non-coding DNA, while others raise ethical concerns about whose genome is being sequenced. There is also concern that sequencing could divert funding from other research areas. Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of sequencing the human genome outweigh the drawbacks. The project should start now, beginning with the collection of human DNA libraries, creating maps, and developing instruments for fast, accurate sequencing. In a few years, sequencing can begin in earnest. The article concludes with a reference to the ancient Oracle of Delphi, emphasizing the importance of self-knowledge.