The human genome is the blueprint for building a person. When the Human Genome Project was completed in 2003, and the DNA double spiral uncovered its secrets for the very first time, scientists agreed that genome sequencing is just as a revolutionary moment for mankind as Neil Armstrong stepping on the Moon. Researchers said that learning about the functions of genes and proteins will have a major impact in the fields of medicine, biotechnology, and life sciences.

Although the technical conditions, the time and the cost of sequencing genomes were reduced by a factor of 1 million in less than 10 years, the revolution lags behind. Before you start worrying, I can assure you: it will come. When the price of genome sequencing reaches that of a blood test – it is already dropping below $1000 – and the data analysis will happen according to layers (and special pricing according to the various batches of information!), we will see how many areas of our lives genetic information impacts. It affects pharmaceutical decisions, lifestyle and dietary choices, disease prevention plans, the human aging process and life expectancy in general.

What is Genome Sequencing?

“Whole genome sequencing is the process of determining the entirety, or nearly the entirety, of the DNA sequence of an organism’s genome at a single time. This entails sequencing all of an organism’s chromosomal DNA as well as DNA contained in the mitochondria and, for plants, in the chloroplast.”

_{– Wikipedia}

Innovative solutions spring up day by day with a new generation of targeted interventions based on genomic analysis for a wide variety of diseases, being more efficient and causing fewer side effects than some treatments available today. Not only the research field and the market is buzzing around genomics and genome sequencing, but certain states also recognized the potential of the technology.

The ultimate goal of genome sequencing is to help bring healthcare into the era of preventive, personalized and preemptive medicine. The supporters of genome sequencing are not alone in their undertaking to introduce tools of precision medicine in healthcare. Home sensors, portable diagnostic devices or digital biomarkers all aim to level up the process of care.

However, it is unimaginably difficult to bring the achievements of the latest studies or the innovative solutions of start-ups in the hospitals. Not to say how arduous it is to analyze such incredible amounts of data, how problematic it is to turn the results of genomic research into evidence to be used as new guidelines for clinicians.