What scientist J. Craig Venter described in his opening as "a science lecture most of you should be able to understand" became a detailed description of the process of sequencing the human genome that many non-biology majors may have had difficulty comprehending.

The packed audience in Schwab Auditorium listened attentively as Venter, who was part of the team who assembled the human genome, explained the procedure and possible implications of his research while displaying visuals on a large video screen behind him.

Venter said it is likely that within five years, people will be able to have their code mapped in a few hours for less than $2,000.

Venter also predicted that in the future, people will have genetic identity cards so that pharmacies can track the effectiveness and side effects of drugs on different people.

Besides the difference between males and females, Venter said, people are almost totally the same. "Race is a social difference, not a genetic difference," he said.

Humans have almost the same genes in the same order as other mammals, Venter said, with only a 1.27 percent difference between humans and chimpanzees, and a 3 to 6 percent difference from mice.

But, deciphering the human genome will not reveal the answer to evolution, Venter said. Even though most people want to believe they are the sum of their genes, "any scientist knows how wrong that is" because most human traits are a combination of genetics and environment and the genetic code can not explain that complexity, he said.

Regarding cloning, Venter said, "I'm against it because it's human experimentation."

Venter made history in June 2000 when he revealed that his corporation produced the first near-complete drafts of the human genetic code in the first scientific study ever announced at the White House.

Venter said the funding for the initial project, $350 million, was provided by the Perkin-Elmer company, now known as Applera. The company makes scientific instruments for sequencing DNA and funded the project for publicity.

He said the National Institutes of Health would not fund the first project because none of the scientists believed it would work. After it did, NIH started funding all the projects.

Venter has retired from the industry and is starting a public policy institution to deal with the issues resulting from his research, such as racial, insurance and employment discrimination.

He said the public does not know about genetics, and scientists in the field must educate them.

Venter will present a lecture titled "Sequencing the Human Genome" at 10:30 a.m. today in HUB-Robeson Center Auditorium.