The Genomic Revolution

The Genomic Revolution is the convergence of big data + sequencing tech + digital-health devices + A.I. The revolution is just in time to fight pandemics, help plants, animals, humans, the planet — adapt and survive climate change. 

We’re the first species on Earth to read our DNA script, and the Genome Story of our species is made possible with your participation. No longer observers in scientific discovery that transforms our world; we’re partners and valued participants this time.

Have you used a DNA test kit? If you say yes, then you’ve joined the Genomic Revolution. You’re in good company with over 26 million Genome Explorers like you in the United States, who have their DNA data. Consider your results a rough sketch, though. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) tests read less than 1% of your DNA.

Really? Less than one percent? That’s right. Meg Hager, a genetic counselor for Mayo Clinic, uses this analogy; “If you lost your keys, you would start by looking in the three places you usually leave them. But if you don’t find them in any of those spots, you’ll look through the whole house. Meanwhile, DTC companies, such as 23andMe, stop their search after those three places.”

The next step in the Genomic Revolution will do something radical — sequence all of your DNA and the regions in between — your whole genome. What will the vast, unknown regions tell us about a healthy life, enhanced abilities, and longevity? What will you do with all of your DNA in a Big Data set? How to protect it? Safely share it? To save a life, maybe your own?

It’s the era of our genome. The entrepreneurs at Veritas, describe the next step in the Genomic Revolution as the Era of the Social Genome:

Veritas anticipated the turning point “will be the convergence of a WGS service in the $100-$200 range and consumer adoption reaching 1 million.” The prediction made in 2019 has almost come true in 2021. Read the full article for more about the “scope and pace” of the Genomic Revolution and how people at Veritas imagine the era unfolding.

What could the future hold for genome engineering? Watch the 90-second video (below) for inspiration from a geneticist and genome engineer. It’s my conversation with Dr. Shondra Pruett-Miller, one of the invited speakers for the Genome Writers Guild (GWG) 2021 Conference.

Kit Leffler at the Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, produced the video. Kit is also a member of the Genome Writers Guild (GWG). I’m a member and provide design and graphics for our meetings and website.

The GWG is a genome engineering society building a better future for humanity through genome engineering and public education. Check out the GWG events underway for 2022.