The big breakthrough in genetics will arrive when we can sequence multiple cells from one body
Since then, the cost of genetic sequencing has fallen dramatically in a biotechnology equivalent of Moore’s Law. Mapping the first human genome took years and cost $3 billion. Now it takes only 8 days and $10,000. Industry analysts predict that in three years, it will take only 15 minutes and a mere $1000 — comparable to many routine medical tests.
In theory, every cell in our body is genetically identical, but of course, the current working state of each cell is unique. After all, some cells become kidney cells, and others become bone cells, and others become brain cells. The cells specialize, and in their current working state they hold the information that tells them what their specialty is suppose to be. I suspect the biggest breakthrough in genetics will come when sequencing the genome is cheap enough that we can compare the whole chromosomes of multiple cells in our body, and thus see how the current working state of each is different. Indeed, it is hard to imagine how we will come up with a cure for cancer, till we better understand the forces that normally work to keep the current state consistent.