Collecting the records of modern science poses many challenges for archivists and it has become increasingly clear that the traditional approach for scientific archives is no longer suitable. In the UK, the approach for preserving scientific archives has been heavily influenced by that adopted by the Royal Society and the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts in 1967. Their pilot project successfully preserved the papers of three distinguished and recently deceased scientists and has been used as the model ever since with its influence still shaping activity today. While this approach has undoubtedly ensured that many scientific collections have been preserved, its focus retrospectively on the "great men" is increasingly disconnected both from modern science and archival theory.

Modern science is inherently collaborative, frequently bringing together researchers from across a multitude of disciplines and continents. It is highly questionable whether preserving the archives of a single outstanding individual will ensure that the results of the collaboration are effectively captured. Additionally, it is important to recognise that science is not done in a vacuum and that interaction with politics, the media and broader society also need to be captured alongside the scientific record.

The growth in the use of computers in science, as in all areas of life, presents a challenge to retrospective collecting as much of the material needing to be preserved will have been born-digital. All of the advice surrounding the preservation of digital material urges action as early as possible to address its increased vulnerability. Clearly waiting until the death of a scientist before starting to preserve their digital material is no longer viable.

The Human Genome Archive Project (HGAP) aims to preserve the archival legacy of one of the most important scientific achievements of the twentieth century. In the UK, a survey of material created between 1977 and 2004 relating to the sequencing of the human genome is currently underway. To deal with collaborative science and a large proportion of digital material, this survey is challenging the traditional approach to scientific archives by drawing on archival theory and examples of its practical application. This paper will use the experience of the HGAP to illustrate how archival theory can be applied to document modern science.