The genetics of the future

The genetics of the future


There are many types of mutations

But how does studying them all

Even those in model organisms

Even those deemed relevant ‘only for evolutionary questions’

Benefit humanity as a whole


There are several arguments to be made

But today I propose this one


Humans are often thought to have ‘escaped evolution’

This is because we make tools to overcome harsh environments

This is because we turn transform ecosystems to towns and cities

This is because we craft treatments that cure disease and increase lifespan

This is because we ‘don’t obey the laws of nature’.


While these are true, we have NOT escaped evolution

We have simply contributed more towards our evolution

By creating such ‘comfortable’ environments

We are changing the types of genetic mutations

That survive into the future of our species

Rendering our knowledge of current human genetics

That of genetics of our species 100 generations ago

Rather than the genetics of our species 100 years into the future


In addition, there are new types of mutations becoming important for humanity

Not just single gene mutations that affect the mean of a trait

But multi-gene mutations that affect the stability of a trait

Mutations that are impossible to study without large population sequencing

Significantly easier and more feasible in model organisms

Than in humans themselves



Therefore, in order to make a predictive genetics rather than historical genetics

And a precision genetics rather than ‘it works for many’ genetics

We need to look beyond the mutations of the past

And observe how the mutations of now


Critically,

Not all these mutations of now,

Can be found in human studies