Why Mapping the Human Genome Matters

After seeing how family members dive into 23andMe results with the excitement of kids opening presents on Christmas morning, understanding the results of genetic testing and their implications became a huge interest. “Look at this! I’m 12% Scandinavian!” my a family member exclaimed, while my wife discovered she has a genetic variant that makes her more likely to be a morning person (which explains a lot about our household dynamics). I was curious about how scientific this actually is and had to do a deep dive.

What started as casual curiosity about ancestry and health predispositions represents something far more profound: we’re living through the greatest biological revolution in human history. That simple saliva test that cost $99 and delivered results in a few weeks would have been impossible—or cost billions—just two decades ago.

Today, the genomics industry stands at an inflection point that makes the early days of the internet look quaint by comparison. We’re not just reading the code of life anymore; we’re rewriting it. And for investors willing to understand this space, the opportunities are as vast as the human genome itself.

The Human Genome Project: Biology’s Manhattan Project

The Human Genome Project remains one of the most ambitious scientific endeavors in modern history. Launched in 1990 with a modest goal of mapping every single one of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA, this international effort took 13 years and cost $2.7 billion—roughly equivalent to $4.5 billion today.

When President Bill Clinton announced the completion of the first draft in 2000, calling it “the most important, most wondrous map ever produced by humankind,” few could have predicted how quickly this scientific achievement would transform from academic curiosity to commercial reality.

But here’s what makes this story even more fascinating: recent investigations in 2024 revealed that the “reference genome” we’ve been using for decades came primarily from a single donor—a fact that raises important questions about representation and consent in genomic research. This discovery has sparked new efforts like the Human Pangenome Reference Consortium, which aims to create a more diverse genetic reference that better represents global populations.

The Synthetic Genome Frontier

If mapping the human genome was biology’s moon landing, then what’s happening now is our equivalent of Mars colonization. In 2025, scientists launched the Synthetic Human Genome Project—an effort to actually build human DNA from scratch in the laboratory.

This isn’t science fiction. Recent breakthroughs in creating synthetic genomes for yeast and bacteria have convinced researchers that synthesizing human chromosomes is not only possible but inevitable. The Wellcome Trust is investing £10 million to recreate just one small chromosome over the next five years, representing about 2% of human DNA.

Why does this matter? Because synthetic genomics will allow us to understand biology at a level that reading natural genomes never could. It’s the difference between being able to read a language and being able to write novels in it.

CRISPR: Rewriting the Code of Life

Remember when the biggest tech disruption was being able to edit documents in real-time? Now we can edit genes with the same precision—and the implications are staggering.

CRISPR-Cas9, often called “molecular scissors,” has evolved from a laboratory curiosity to an FDA-approved therapy in just over a decade. In December 2023, the approval of Casgevy marked a historic milestone: the first CRISPR-based treatment for sickle cell disease.

But here’s what excites me most as an investor: we’re still in the early innings. As of 2025, there are 239 gene-editing clinical trials underway worldwide, targeting everything from cancer to heart disease to inherited blindness.

The Clinical Pipeline Explosion

The diversity of applications in development is remarkable:

• Sickle Cell Disease: Multiple companies including CRISPR Therapeutics, Beam Therapeutics, and Editas Medicine are developing competing approaches
• Cancer Immunotherapy: Allogeneic CAR-T cells that can be used as “off-the-shelf” cancer treatments
• Cardiovascular Disease: Verve Therapeutics is testing in vivo gene editing to permanently lower cholesterol
• Rare Diseases: Companies like YolTech Therapeutics reported 70% reductions in harmful compounds for primary hyperoxaluria patients

Each successful trial doesn’t just represent hope for patients—it validates an entire technological platform that can be applied to dozens of other conditions.

The Investment Goldmine: Betting on Biology

Here’s where this scientific revolution becomes an investment opportunity. The genomics market is projected to reach $157.5 billion by 2033, while synthetic biology is expected to grow at 17.3% annually through 2030.

But investing in genomics requires a different mindset than traditional sectors. These companies often trade at 6.2x revenue multiples because most are pre-profitability, burning cash on R&D while chasing breakthrough therapies worth billions.

Top Genomics Stocks to Watch

CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP) remains the gold standard for gene editing investments. With Casgevy already approved and generating revenue, plus a robust pipeline of next-generation therapies, CRSP offers the rare combination of current income and future potential in biotech. The company has $1.9 billion in cash reserves, providing years of runway for development.

Illumina (ILMN) is the picks-and-shovels play of genomics. While others develop therapies, Illumina provides the sequencing technology that makes it all possible. Their recent collaboration with NVIDIA to develop AI-powered genomic analysis platforms shows how this field is converging with other major tech trends.

Beam Therapeutics (BEAM) focuses on base editing—a more precise form of gene editing that changes single DNA letters without creating double-strand breaks. This approach potentially reduces safety risks and expands the number of treatable conditions.

Exact Sciences (EXAS) bridges the gap between genomics and practical healthcare with products like Cologuard for colon cancer screening. This is genomics applied to preventive medicine, with clear revenue models and insurance reimbursement.

Portfolio Strategy: The Thematic Approach

Given the complexity and volatility of individual biotech stocks, I’m a strong advocate for thematic investing in this space. This is exactly where M1 Finance’s “pie” system shines.

M1’s approach lets you create a custom genomics allocation that automatically rebalances between different subsectors—gene editing companies, diagnostics providers, research tools manufacturers, and established pharma companies with genomics divisions. You can weight each sector based on your risk tolerance and conviction level.

For more hands-on investors interested in individual stock picking, platforms like Webull provide excellent research tools and real-time data essential for tracking clinical trial announcements and FDA approvals that drive these stocks.

Beyond Medicine: Genomics Everywhere

While healthcare grabs the headlines, genomics is quietly revolutionizing industries you might not expect. This broad application is part of what makes the investment thesis so compelling—we’re not betting on a single use case, but on a fundamental technology platform.

Agricultural Revolution

Climate change is forcing agriculture to evolve rapidly, and genomics is leading the charge. Companies are engineering crops that can survive droughts, resist pests without pesticides, and produce higher yields on less land. The CRISPR-edited pigs recently approved for food in the US are just the beginning.

Environmental Conservation

Scientists are using genomics to save endangered species by understanding their genetic diversity and even bringing extinct species back to life. The woolly mammoth de-extinction project might sound like science fiction, but it’s happening right now using CRISPR and elephant DNA.

Forensics and Genealogy

Genetic genealogy has revolutionized criminal investigations, solving cold cases decades old by matching crime scene DNA to genealogy databases. It’s the same technology that told my mother-in-law about her Scandinavian heritage, just applied differently.

The Ethical Frontier

No discussion of genomics would be complete without addressing the elephant in the room: the profound ethical questions this technology raises.

The Access Problem

Casgevy, that groundbreaking CRISPR therapy for sickle cell disease, costs between $2-3 million per treatment. While transformative for patients who can access it, this price point raises serious questions about equity in an era of genetic medicine.

Interestingly, sickle cell disease predominantly affects people of African descent, yet the therapy is initially only available in wealthy countries with advanced healthcare infrastructure. Vertex Pharmaceuticals has no immediate plans to offer it in Africa, where the disease is most common, citing the complexity of the treatment regimen.

Privacy and Data Ownership

That fun 23andMe experience I mentioned earlier? Your genetic data is now stored by a private company, and you may not fully understand how it could be used in the future. Insurance companies, employers, and governments are all interested in genetic information for various reasons.

The Designer Baby Question

We’re rapidly approaching the technical capability to edit human embryos to eliminate genetic diseases. But where do we draw the line between treatment and enhancement? Should parents be able to edit their children’s genes for intelligence, athletic ability, or appearance?

These aren’t distant philosophical questions—they’re policy decisions that governments and medical boards are grappling with right now. The answers will significantly impact which applications of genomics technology are permitted and how the market develops.

What This Means for Your Portfolio and Your Life

Investment Timeframes and Expectations

Genomics investing requires patience and diversification. Individual companies can fail spectacularly when clinical trials don’t pan out, but the underlying technology trend is unstoppable. This is why I favor the thematic approach through platforms like M1 Finance rather than betting everything on single stocks.

Think of genomics stocks like early internet companies in the 1990s. Many individual companies failed, but the investors who maintained diversified exposure to the broader technology theme were rewarded handsomely over time.

Personal Healthcare Implications

Within the next 5-10 years, expect genetic testing to become routine in healthcare. Your doctor might order a genetic panel as easily as they order blood work today. Pharmacogenomics—tailoring medications based on your genetic makeup—is already beginning in some hospitals.

Cancer treatment is being revolutionized by genomic analysis of tumors to identify precisely which therapies will work for each patient. What used to be a one-size-fits-all approach is becoming increasingly personalized.

Building Your Genomics Investment Strategy

Here’s my recommended approach for different investor types:

• Conservative Investors: Focus on established companies like Illumina and Exact Sciences that have current revenue and clearer paths to profitability
• Growth Investors: Consider a balanced mix including CRISPR Therapeutics, Beam Therapeutics, and emerging gene editing companies
• Aggressive Investors: Small-cap biotech companies with early-stage programs offer the highest risk/reward potential

Remember to maintain geographic diversification too. While the US leads in genomics innovation, companies in Europe and Asia are making significant contributions and may face different regulatory environments that could provide advantages.

For investors interested in getting started with small amounts, Robinhood’s commission-free trading makes it easy to build positions gradually without transaction fees eating into returns.