Medical

            The development of medical uses of the human genome is moving ahead in a steady, deliberate manner. Research findings show that making appropriate changes in the DNA of the human genome is much more complex than originally thought. Scientists are finding that it is rare that a single genetic change will eradicate a disease. Usually there are multiple genetic changes that would have to be made; consequently, learning to solve the many changes needed and what the side-effects might be becomes a gargantuan task. Not an impossible project, but one that will take a considerable amount of time and effort. Do not expect various diseases to be conquered rapidly. With the assistance soon of quantum computing, the time may be shortened tremendously, but at present, that computing source is still in the development stage itself, so the classical computer will need to be used.

            When will cancer be solved? Not in the next year or so if changing the genome is the pathway; however, with some years of development, the cancer scourge may be eliminated in a decade or so. Scientists will continue on the path of modifying the genome to cure present day maladies and they will be successful. It will just take research, time and effort.

Agricultural

            Three interesting developments are happening worldwide in reaction to genome editing in agriculture. First, a number of countries in Europe, India and New Zeeland are highly concerned about genome modification to crops. They have gone so far as to regulate changes significantly or outlawed them altogether. Although genetically modified crops have the potential for increased production and longer shelf life, these countries want very little to do with them.

            Second, there is serious work being done in the study of the genomes of agricultural weeds such as water hemp, smooth pigweed, and Palmer amaranth. The goal is to find ways to modify the genomes of theses weeds. One of the big issues to begin with is finding out why these plants are herbicide resistant. Somehow these types of weeds can detoxify the herbicides before they can do any harm. No one at present is sure why that situation exists. Given time and effort, the answers to the detoxification and other issues with weeds will be determined. With gene therapy, the weeds will be eradicated or modified into useful plants.

            Third, the Asian Giant Hornet, which hails from northern India to East Asia, has made its way into western Washington State, Vancouver Island and Langley, Canada. The Hornets can make short work of bee hives in the late summer and early fall. Scientists now have a complete genome sequence of the Hornets. In addition, genomic data has been gathered from Asian Hornets in their normal habitat. The genome information will assist scientists to develop methods to deal with the Hornet by either eradicating it or transforming it into one that is advantageous to human beings.