Genetic sequencing has come a long way in the past decade, going from a $3 billion project to being available for just $1,000. However, concerns about privacy may lead some to consider using a friend's account, with shipping to an alternate address and pseudonyms to protect against data breaches.
The speaker argues that all breakthrough technology begins seeming impossibly large, expensive, and slow, and cites as examples the Human Genome Project and the first computer, the ENIAC, to make a case for the potential of nuclear energy technology.
The human genome is unique in that it was considered the last place to go for research but has now become the go-to place for exploring the function of every nucleotide due to advancements in human genetics.
AI and quantum technologies are expected to play a big role in understanding the epigenome and enhancing our understanding of the human DNA structure. The genome is set at birth and is the same throughout life; the altering of gene expression by the epigenome changes an individual's appearance.
While humans have 20,000 genes, bacterial genomes have trillions. Surprisingly, corn has more genes than humans, and sand fleas have the most genes of any animal.
With advancements in genetic technology, it will soon be possible to have complete information and control over every aspect of an embryo's genetics. This raises both biological and ethical questions about what the world may look like in the future.