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Scientist unveils own genome
 
Dr J. Craig Venter, the scientist who led the private effort to sequence the human genome, has revealed his own complete genetic code. This marks the first time that a near complete genome, covering the DNA inherited from both parents, has been published.
 
In 2001, Venter's company Celera published a version of the human genome that was based on information from himself and four other individuals. At the same time, the publicly-funded Human Genome Project consortium released a consensus human genome, based on DNA samples from over 100 people.
 
Venter’s genetic make-up reveals some warning signs of potential health problems in later life, such as moderately increased risks of Alzheimer’s and heart disease. Yet he has no regrets about choosing to have his genome sequenced, believing that lifestyle factors will play as big a part as nature in sealing his fate. ‘For the first time, we can answer almost any question of what's genetic and what's the environment. Our genes can tell us probabilities of what might happen and give us a chance to do something about it’, he said. Venter has now started to take cholesterol-lowering medication as a result of being able to ‘read’ his own genome.
 
The new genome sequence, dubbed HuRef, was pieced together using the 'whole genome shotgun' method  (a method used for sequencing long strands of DNA) previously used by the organisation, Celera. However, several other organisations are now working on developing faster, cheaper methods that will eventually enable the genome of many more people to be sequenced. James Watson, co-discoverer of DNA’s double helix structure, is the only other person in the world to have had his genome sequenced.

Sources:

All about Craig: the first 'full' genome sequence
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v449/n7158/full/449006a.html