Genomics: the key to our future

Genomic technology – ask most people what they think its applications are, and you will likely receive a general response which focusses heavily on healthcare. This wouldn’t be wrong, of course. The potential of genomics to improve healthcare outcomes is well known and an exciting area of continued study. Nevertheless, the possible impact of genomics is diverse and deserves attention.

Take a topic like the study of life, for example. The Human Genome Project (HGP) is perhaps one of the best known collaborative scientific endeavours of the last century. Even so, its comparative notoriety reveals the extent of human solipsism.

Where the HGP sought to only catalogue the genome of Homo Sapiens, the Earth Biogenome Project (EBP) has a grander ambition. Launched in 2018, it aims to sequence, catalogue and characterise the genomes of all of Earth’s eukaryotic biodiversity by 2028.

This foundational project promises to expand our understanding of topics as varied as materials science, agriculture and energy production, while aiding in our efforts to protect biodiversity and better appreciate the ecosystems on which we all rely. And this project’s scope is only matched by the diversity of academic institutions involved. The EBP is truly global, combining the skills and expertise of institutions such as the Max Planck Institute, Wellcome Sanger Institute, and BGI Group – the Shenzhen-based biotech organization.

Genomics technology and agriculture in general represents a particularly exciting area of study, and one which has the potential to revolutionise the way we feed our growing population. Indeed, ongoing work to sequence crop genomes has already led to the development of novel strains of staples like rice and chickpeas. In fact, BGI Group has leveraged the power of genomic technology to help produce perennial rice that can self-germinate and be harvested continuously for three to five years.

Human society is living through a period of profound climactic change. Our capacity for innovation, long the source of our greatest triumphs, will be increasingly tested as the quality of arable land degrades and progressively unpredictable weather places pressure on global supply chains. Breakthroughs like the development of perennial rice will help to ensure our food supplies are more resistant to changing circumstances and will play an increasingly important role as populations increase throughout the 21st century.

Taking a broader look at the challenges we face, genomics research also offers us a potential means to partially resolve the cause of climate change – carbon-intensive human activity. By studying the genetic make up of organisms as varied as termites, algae, and fungi, researchers are revealing novel approaches to biofuel generation. Using our increasingly sophisticated technology, and leveraging projects like the EBP, it might be possible to propagate novel organisms that are better able to convert materials like cellulose into bioethanol – decreasing our collective reliance on unsustainable hydrocarbons and ushering in a more responsible era of human activity.

Our continued existence will also depend on the stability of natural ecosystems. While we are no longer a part of the food chain, having long ago overcome the threat posed by lions on the African savanna, our continued survival depends on a functioning natural world. Prochlorococcus, the smallest photosynthetic organism on Earth, is responsible for producing roughly 20 per cent of oxygen we breathe, for example. That’s higher than all of the world’s tropical rainforests combined. By leveraging genomics research, we will be better placed to understand organisms like prochlorococcus, in turn improving our ability to act as responsible stewards of the natural world.

Of course, it should be acknowledged that some of the most promising areas of genomic study relate to healthcare. Our ability to track novel strains of the coronavirus throughout the pandemic gave us essential insights into the development of the virus, offering clues in our search for more effective vaccines and treatments. As long as covid represents a serious threat to human health, genomic technology will continue to be a powerful tool in our efforts to mitigate its effects.

Wherever one chooses to look, real-world applications for genomic technology can be found. As the challenges we face as a society increase in complexity, exacerbated by a progressively unstable climate, it will be essential to continue prioritising international cooperation on genomic research. By leveraging our collective expertise, it should be possible to render some of our most pressing challenges impotent. Genomics, with its incredible potential, is continually proving itself one of our most effective tools in that effort.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes