The moon landing in July 1969 was a monumental achievement, the efforts of hundreds of scientists, engineers, and aeronautic professionals. Seemingly overnight, freeze dried foods, reflective emergency blankets, Teflon, Velcro, and other National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) innovations trickled down to the public and are now mainstream products.

Thirty-four years later, 92% of the human genome was sequenced, an equally astonishing, collaborative milestone that took thirteen years and a consortium of twenty universities and research centers in six countries.

It took another 19 years to sequence the final 8% of the genome, the genetic information of an organism, consisting of nucleotide sequences of DNA or RNA.

The outcome from the Human Genome Project hasn’t been as visible as that of NASA aside from companies like 23andMe, Ancestry, and others that offer genetic testing. Although, behind the scenes scientists and doctors are using the genome to identify genetic differences linked to various diseases and cancers.

And in recent years, companies such as Grail have refined the ability to determine whether DNA fragments in blood are “signals” or indicators of more than 50 types of cancer. Using a machine learning algorithm they can discern healthy cells from cancerous ones, and further pinpoint the type of cancer making it possible to identify malignancies in their initial stages.

Subsequently, cancer can be detected earlier and treated sooner, reducing mortality. The Grail Galleri® test is becoming more widespread and will continue to trickle down to at-risk individuals.

There are no grounds for fear of the unknown: For often the things we most dreaded, before we experienced them, turn out to be better than those we desired.” René Descartes

One technology that was in the stratosphere, and precipitously cascaded down to the public is artificial intelligence (AI). Pop open a browser. A generative AI chatbot is patiently waiting to help. Type a text or email, and words and phrases will magically appear based on your previous word use. Call or log into a support line and speak or text your issue and be pointed towards an answer, link, or human that can help. 

AI is barely in its infancy, so it’s hard to imagine how it’ll impact the future. Just like space travel and sequencing the human genome, we must accept its potential with an open mind and slant towards innovations that trickle down to help all of humankind.