Timeline

1987- US Patent Office allows the patenting of higher organisms, including animals.

1973- Researchers learn how to combine DNA from organisms of different species (Recombinant DNA or rDNA). Life forms previously not found in nature, can now be created in the laboratory.

1990- The launch of the Human Genome Project by the Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health to sequence the human genome.

September 2013- 23andMe received a patent to use DNA tests to create designer babies.

1955- Joe Hin Tjio defines 46 as the exact number of chromosomes in human cells.

1977- Louise Brown, first "test tube baby" is born. Prenatal genetic testing comes into increasingly widespread use.

2000- Adam Nash, the first designer baby - born in the US, was created to donate his umbilical cord blood to his sister, Molly, who was born with multiple birth defects due to Fanconi anemia.

2000- By the end of Spring 2000, HGP researchers sequence 90 percent of the human genome with 4-fold redundancy. This working draft sequence is estimated to be 99.9% accurate.

2002- The Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority allowed fertility clinics in Britain to create babies to help another person.

2003- The first UK designer baby was born to provide stem cells for a sibling.

2006- 23andMe, a personal genomics and biotechnology company that provides genetic testing was founded to provide genetic testing and interpretation to individuals.

1902- William Bateson (August 8, 1861 – February 8,1926) first used the term 'genetics' to describe heredity.

1869- Frederick Miescher isolates DNA from cells for the first time and calls it “nuclein”.

1994- Genetically modified food is sold on American shelves

1973- First genetically modified organisms: bacteria.

1953- Watson and Crick discover the structure of DNA