Top 10 human genetics & evolution predictions for the 2020s

The Insight Show Notes — Season 3, Episode 2

This week on The Insight (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts) Razib and Spencer make ten predictions about what genetics might discover and do in the 2020s (though they do express some disagreement on the details!).

  1. DNA sequencing will be free, interpretation automated and cheap, and everyone in the developed world will have their genome sequenced at birth
  2. 50% or more of the developed world’s population will have done some sort of genome-wide analysis (SNP-array all the way to WGS)
  3. The missing heritability will be solved and GWAS will be passé. We have the technology!
  4. IVF+preimplantation genetic diagnosis will account for the majority of births in at least one developed country (Singapore?)
  5. CRISPR/genetic engineering begins to “cure” adults with Mendelian diseases (cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, etc.)
  6. We will discover several new interbreeding species of the genus Homo, calling into question the meaning of the term “species” in the genus overall
  7. Sub-Saharan Africa will become more marginalized as the homeland for fully modern humans
  8. We will know the genetic history of China to the same extent as we now know the genetic history of Europe
  9. We will begin to get a handle of the trajectory/impact of selection in the human genome
  10. There will be ‘dating apps’ or ‘match-making’ apps that use DNA

Insitome

Discoveries and insights into the story of you.

Razib Khan

Written by

Genetics.

Insitome

Discoveries and insights into the story of you.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade