People think genes are an absolute cause of traits. But the notion that the genome is the blueprint for humanity is a very bad metaphor. If you think we're hard-wired and deterministic, there should indeed be a lot more genes.

Craig Venter

Craig Venter

Absolute Bad Blueprint Cause Genes Genome Humanity Indeed Lot Metaphor More Notion People Should Think Traits Very You

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Genome design is going to be a key part of the future. That's why we need fast, cheap, accurate DNA synthesis, so you can make a lot of iterations of something and test them.

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I have this idea of trying to catalog all the genes on the planet.

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In the past, geneticists have looked at so-called disease genes, but a lot of people have changes in their genes and don't get these diseases. There have to be other parts of physiology and genetics that compensate.

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We know virtually all of the genes known to mammals. We do not know all of the combinations.

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Knowing what your parents have gives you hints of things, but your genome is a totally unique combination of and interchange of DNA from your parents. There is no one else like you genetically.

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