Science and Technology Innovation Program Mapping the Human
Genome: Risks and Benefits Point of View by Dave Rejeski,
director, Foresight and Governance Project When some future
historian chronicles the 20th century, the sequencing of the
Human Genome will certainly stand out as one of mankind's
greatest achievements. We have entered the genetic age. It is
entirely possible, given present trends in sequencing
technologies, that by 2040 each of us could have our entire
genome sequenced for under $150. Certainly within the next 15
years, genotyping technologies capable of "reading" key genetic
information from blood or saliva samples will become standard
tools in medical practice. We will see an increasing
"individualization" of medicine—an ability to match drugs and
other therapeutic interventions to an individual's genetic
makeup and physiology. This will have enormous benefits, both in
terms of better health care and potential cost reductions. Drug
efficacy will be increased, side effects reduced, and whole