George Church on De-extinction, Personal Genomes and the Future of Biology

In this Life Scientific episode, Lucy Taylor speaks with George Church, a pioneer of modern genomics and a professor at Harvard Medical School and MIT. Church discusses the logic and science behind de-extinction, such as woolly mammoths, and how engineered pigs could provide human-compatible organs for transplantation. He explains the Personal Genome Project and the push to make genome sequencing affordable and widely accessible, highlighting policy and ethical considerations. The conversation covers direct genomic sequencing, the Human Genome Project, and plans to sequence newborns globally, alongside efforts to engineer virus-resistant organisms and multi-gene edits. Church also touches on environmental ideas like total recycling, the role of AI, and a cautious path toward rapid scientific progress.

Introduction and the drive to solve the impossible

Lucy Taylor interviews George Church, a leading figure in genomics whose work spans accelerating DNA sequencing, opening access to genome data, and ambitious projects that sit at the edge of what’s considered possible. Church describes how moments between waking and sleep can spark breakthroughs and frames his career around turning science fiction into testable reality.

Early life, education and breakthrough sequencing

Church remembers a dyslexic childhood, a transformative boarding school experience, and an exceptional trajectory through Duke University and Harvard. At Harvard, he contributed to early direct genomic sequencing methods that removed the need for cloning, laying groundwork for today’s next-generation sequencing. He explains how this shift accelerated the mapping of the human genome and the broader field of genomics.

The Human Genome Project and the Personal Genome Project

Church helped catalyze the Human Genome Project and later launched the Personal Genome Project, an open-access initiative that flips traditional privacy assumptions by sharing individuals’ genome and health data with the world. He discusses the design of a stringent consent process that aims to empower participants, including hypothetical scenarios to test their readiness for the information their data could reveal.

Democratizing genome sequencing

Questions of cost and access dominate Church’s agenda. He notes a dramatic price drop from billions to a few hundred dollars for a genome and identifies countries taking the lead in nationwide sequencing programs, arguing that newborn genome mapping could become standard in England and beyond. The aim is to reduce inherited disease burdens while enabling personalized medicine and genetic counseling.

De-extinction and ecosystem restoration

The conversation turns to de-extinction, including the woolly mammoth project. Church explains the strategy of reviving genetic variation rather than exact clones, focusing on traits that enhance cold tolerance and ecosystem function, such as grassland maintenance to stabilize permafrost and carbon storage. He stresses collaboration with indigenous communities and careful ecological planning.

Pig organ xenotransplantation and multi-gene edits

Church outlines progress in creating pigs with human-compatible organs for transplantation, describing extensive genome edits to remove viral elements, reduce rejection, and better mimic human biology. He links this to broader, multi-gene engineering efforts such as making organisms virus-resistant by redesigning genetic codes, a step toward safer, more reliable medical therapies and organ supply.

Environment, AI and the ethics of rapid progress

The interview touches on ambitious environmental projects like total recycling for space and Earth, as well as a pragmatic stance on AI. Church argues for cautious advancement and international governance while acknowledging the powerful potential of AI to accelerate discovery when guided by solid evidence and ethics.

Future visions and closing thoughts

Looking ahead, Church sketches ideas for faster-than-light concepts via information-rich cells, life-detection missions for other worlds, and improved life-support technologies for space exploration. He emphasizes mentorship and a humane approach to science alongside a readiness to question established norms and embrace truth and collaboration.