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Harnessing the Genomics Revolution

Just 13 years after the successful completion of the Human Genome Project, the power of genomics applications to spur innovation is already becoming apparent. Indeed, genomics are quickly becoming a transformative force in the global economy – one that promises to bring far-reaching social and environmental benefits.

CAMBRIDGE – Just 13 years after the successful completion of the Human Genome Project, the power of genomics applications to spur innovation is already becoming apparent. Indeed, though the genomics revolution is just getting underway, it is becoming a transformative agent in the global economy – one that promises to bring far-reaching social and environmental benefits.

In the United States alone, the $3.8 billion in public funds invested in the Human Genome Project has already generated close to $1 trillion in economic returns and more than 300,000 jobs. According to the OECD, genomics will become a central component of many economic sectors, including health care, the environment, agriculture, animal health, biotechnology, alternative energy, forensics, justice, and security. With the pace of innovation continuing to accelerate, this prediction will likely be fulfilled even sooner than anticipated.

The area where genomics-driven innovations have attracted the most attention is health. Rapid progress toward truly “personalized medicine” is occurring, with patients’ DNA profiles being translated into more individualized, predictive, and preventive medical care.

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