Even with Moore's Law, Genomic Medicine Must Advance in Real Time

*(Originally posted February 2013)


After thirteen years of research and work and over $3-billion spent, the Human Genome Project sequenced a complete set of DNA in 2003. A decade later, thanks to dramatic computing innovations and advancements in sequencing technologies, anyone with $1000 to burn will soon be able to have their personal genome sequenced. This telescoping trend reflects the pattern Gordon E. Moore described nearly 60 years ago—a trend now known as Moore's Law. However, despite this remarkable accessibility, the technological advancements that have refined and automated the processing of genetic data cannot accelerate the process of interpreting how this data is particularly useful because this data emerges in real time—over the course of a human lifetime.

Analyzing how an individual's genome evolves overtime will, no doubt, yield unprecedented amounts of information. Those who have already had their genomes sequenced are essentially participating in a grand experiment to discover extraordinary insights as to how our environment, family history, diet, and chemical compositions affect genetic expression. As scientists determine how epigenetics orchestrates human development, novel medical treatments will result—treatments that identify harmful genetic mutations and may even "reprogram" the expression of faulty genes. Although many of these discovers are happening now, many more must transpire over the course of the lives of early adopters of genomic analysis.

Today, the time required to sequence a genome has actually improved at a rate faster than Moore's Law. Ironically however, the progress spurred by digital technology in the biotech industry remains beholden to the analog experience of human biology.

At an atomic level, every element in the universe shares a cosmic origin with every other atom of its kind. So when you get that feeling that you need to call someone, and moments later they call you, and you to instinctively say, “I was just thinking of you!”—that feeling may have been transmitted by this ancient cosmic connection. Unfortunately, if understanding quantum theory is the key to us proactively reducing our carbon footprint, then we may all be doomed. Here’s to hoping quantum computers save us all.