An Introduction to Genomics Futures

In Episode 1, we introduce the Genomics Futures workshops, and discuss:Genomics as basic infrastructure: Envisioning a future where genomics is no longer a luxury but a foundational infrastructure, similar to electricity, that communities can control and use daily.Technological shifts and the impact on democratisation: Considering the influence of wearable devices and automated laboratories on the democratisation of genomics.Addressing power dynamics in science: To achieve true equity, science must move away from being Western-centric or paternalistic, ensuring that legal rights are given to biodiversity and that global health becomes truly inclusive.Rethinking time and deadlines: The concept of chrononormativity highlights how the way we frame time (such as 25-year goals) can be a tool of control that may exclude certain communities or people with different needs.We speak to:Professor Matt Hurles, Wellcome Sanger Institute DirectorDr Julia Wilson, Director of Strategy, Partnerships and Innovations, SangerDr Matt Kaiser, Head of Major Initiatives, WellcomeDr Kat Gold, Research Lead from the Discovery Research Team, WellcomeProfessor Patricia Kingori, sociologist and researcher at Oxford University and Professor Itai Yanai, Director of the Institute for Computational Medicine at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. The Genomics Futures series comprised six workshops that invited 133 participants from 86 different organisations and 24 countries and 6 continents to offer their perspectives and identify opportunities for genomics over the next 25 years as well as identifying the possible barriers and bottlenecks. 25 years on from the release of the first draft of the human genome, the Genomics Futures podcast series explores what the future of genomics will be like in 2050.Across 6 episodes, we explore the themes and topics that arose from discussions that took place during the Genomics Futures workshops, hosted by the Wellcome Sanger Institute and Wellcome in 2025.The aim of these podcasts is not to showcase definitive thoughts, but to explore the possibilities of genomics in twenty five years’ time, hence why some speakers may contradict each other. The views expressed in these podcasts are of the speakers alone.Further information about the workshops including further outputs can be found here: https://www.sanger.ac.uk/innovation/sanger-genomics-futures-series/This podcast is produced by the Wellcome Sanger Institute.