Genetics Matters: Voyaging from the Past into the Future of Humanity and Sustainability

Abstract

The understanding of how genetic information may be inherited through generations was established by Gregor Mendel in the 1860s when he developed the fundamental principles of inheritance. The science of genetics, however, began to flourish only during the mid-1940s when DNA was identified as the carrier of genetic information. The world has since then witnessed rapid development of genetic technologies, with the latest being genome-editing tools, which have revolutionized fields from medicine to agriculture. This review walks through the historical timeline of genetics research and deliberates how this discipline might furnish a sustainable future for humanity.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis: A Strategy for Mitigating the Impacts of Climate Change on Tropical Legume Crops

“…The tropical latitudes are home to the most highly concentrated human populations [ 2 ] and yet tropical species have a higher sensitivity to changes in climate than temperate species, meaning that tropical crops, including tropical legumes, are most vulnerable to climate change [ 3 ]. Major crops that sustain global food security, such as soybean ( Glycine max ) and rice ( Oryza sativa ), have been reported to face enormous biotic and abiotic challenges as the globe accelerates toward a warmer, more unstable future [ 4 ]. Crop pests that have expanded their range due to climate change have had a significant impact on agriculture, with one notable example being the rapid spread of a nature pest host, Johnsongrass ( Sorghum halepense ), a highly invasive weed that affects the production of a variety of crops, including soybean and sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor ) in America [ 5 ].…”