Genome
I was studying a timeline at the visitor center of Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. It showed the history of earth and how the petrified forest developed. The map divided earth history into four long “eons” – Hadean (early Earth), Archean (early life), Proterozoic (pre-complex life), and Phanerozoic (visible life). How cool would it be to live on the edge of a new eon — an extremely rare and fundamental transitional point to a different future? I believe we are on the edge of such a shift – triggered by the discovery of the genome. Welcome to the Eon of the Genome!
According to our best estimates the planet has been around for about 4.5 billion years. Over that time, life has developed and multiplied with dizzying abundance and diversity. Humans came on the scene about 300,000 years ago, marking a major development in God’s plan for life. Human thinking, exploring and creating have resulted in capabilities that would dazzle our ancient forefathers. We can now access most of the entire world’s knowledge with a device in our hand—through the air!
As mentioned in binoculars, the advent of the microscope ushered us into the world of the microscopic. This led to an explosion of new exploration and knowledge, including the discovery of genes, DNA and the genome as a key mechanism for reproduction and diversity of life (a genome includes DNA which includes genes).
In 1953, James Crick and Francis Watson discovered the beautiful double helix structure of DNA and in 2003, a team led by Francis Collins (a strong Christian) completed the sequencing of the entire human genome. Truly a historic feat! He called DNA the “Language of God” in his best-selling book about the project.
We have learned much about genomes and their functioning – though much remains in mystery. Our manipulation of genomes has already made major improvements in our world. Crop yields have increased dramatically thru genetic improvements in drought tolerance and pest resistance. We are genetically modifying organisms like E Coli to do marvelous things – include making insulin, biodegradable plastics, and fuel. 25% of the world supply of insulin is now produced from genetically modified E Coli bacteria.
My life has been saved through our new genetic knowledge. While fighting Non-Hodgkins Lympoma, the first course of treatment was a cancer “vaccine” clinical trial where a tumor was removed, genetically modified, and then reinjected to trigger my immune system to repair itself. The last and curative treatment was a stem cell transplant which required a donor with a precise genetic match. Praise God for James who gave his stem cell blood to save my life.
The development of CRISPR technology in 2012 by Dr. Jennifer Doudna (Nobel 2020) and team was a game-changer for genetic research. At that time DNA research was painfully slow and tedious. CRISPR technology (enabled w E Coli!) allows scientists to quickly and precisely alter DNA (think cut and paste) – greatly accelerating research. In addition, Artificial Intelligence is enabling DNA pattern recognition and analysis at exponential levels.
Personal Medicine
Genetics will change future life in profound ways. For example, our medicines will be increasingly personalized.. Rather than taking generic drugs or treatments as we have since the dawn of medicine, our medical care will more be based on our specific genome. The cancer “vaccine” I received in 1998 was an early precursor of this trend!
De-Extinction
We will use genetics to bring back extinct species. We have already brought back one species to life (Pyrenean ibex in 2003) and many more are in the works (extinction).
In my hometown of Dallas at Colossal BioSciences, scientists like George Church are working on techniques that can resurrect any extinct animal whose genome is known or can be reconstructed from fossil remains – including the woolly mammoth, passenger pigeon, and even Neanderthal man! In Siberia at Pleistocene Park, a whole ecosystem is being prepared for the return of the wooly mammoth – which has been extinct for thousands of years!
Human Reproduction
The groundwork for genetic manipulation in human reproduction was laid with the advent of in-vitro fertilization in the 1970’s. We became aware of our ability to manipulate the reproductive process in a new way. Today, genetic testing has become routine during pregnancy.
In 2018 Chinese scientist He Jiankui oversaw the birth of the first human beings with genetically altered DNA (hereditable)—twin girls Lulu and Nana—who are alive today. (see documentary Making People Better). This major development received widespread condemnation and he was sentenced to three years in prison and released in 2022. But the “cat is out of the bag” and the world health community is grappling with how to proceed the with wisest use and control of genetic manipulation in reproduction.
Conclusion
Where is this going? It doesn’t take much of a futurist to see that we will gain ever greater ability to control and manipulate genomes. Hence the Genome Eon. And this is happening quickly. In a very real sense, the “natural” development of life as it has been happening for billions of years will soon be supplanted. Choices will be more intentional and directed . . . by us. Humans will control the future of the genome—for better or worse. This eon transition is unavoidable, barring some cataclysmic event like human extinction or the eschaton.
How will we as humans manage this eon shift? Oddly I don’t read much about this in the news or political/cultural discussions, particularly given the magnitude of what’s at stake. How will the Church respond and lead? The stewardship of genetic control will be the biggest test that humanity has ever faced. It is daunting and perhaps scary, but it is coming. God is handing us the “keys to the car”. Are we ready to drive?
Thank you God for the genome.
Toodling and Noodling, Stan
0 Comments