--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It once seemed that the most profound…" description: "\"It once seemed that the most profound feats stemming from DNA-based science would spring from our ability to read and detect genes, which we call the s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b5/scott-gottlieb-6147_biology_it-once-seemed-that-the-most-profound-fe_1342439.jpg" --- # It once seemed that the most profound feats stemming from… ![“It once seemed that the most profound feats stemming from DNA-based science would spring from our ability to read and detect genes, which we call the science of genomics. But the real opportunities lie in our ability to write DNA, to synthesize new gene sequences and insert them into organisms…” quote by Scott Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b5/scott-gottlieb-6147_biology_it-once-seemed-that-the-most-profound-fe_1342439.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b5/scott-gottlieb-6147_biology_it-once-seemed-that-the-most-profound-fe_1342439.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b5/scott-gottlieb-6147_biology_it-once-seemed-that-the-most-profound-fe_1342439.jpg) > “It once seemed that the most profound feats stemming from DNA-based science would spring from our ability to read and detect genes, which we call the science of genomics. But the real opportunities lie in our ability to write DNA, to synthesize new gene sequences and insert them into organisms, resulting in brand-new biological functions.” [Scott Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-gottlieb/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Highlights shift from reading DNA to writing it, emphasizing synthetic biology’s transformative potential. **In simple terms:** Writing DNA opens new possibilities beyond reading it. Key Takeaway Invest in synthetic biology research. Themes innovation genomics future tech Mood optimistic forward‑looking Type scientific inspirational When to use this quote - research labs - medical therapy development - agricultural engineering Key Concepts synthetic biology gene editing biotech entrepreneurship Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards are needed for DNA writing? - How can society benefit from new biological functions? A Different Perspective Ethical concerns may arise with gene editing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Biology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biology/) [Dna Based](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dna-based-276692/) [Evolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evolution/) [Genomics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genomics/) [Genomics Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genomics-real-4539231/) [Lie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lie/) [New](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Science Genomics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science-genomics-4539230/) [Spring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spring/) [Write Dna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write-dna-4539229/) ## Related quotes > [In chemicals, Synthetic Genomics is one of my real loves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jurvetson/in-chemicals-synthetic-genomics-is-one-of-my-real-loves/) [Steve Jurvetson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jurvetson/) > [The global network of DNA-based life emits ultra-weak radio waves, which are currently at the limit of measurement, but which we can nonetheless perceive...in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-narby/the-global-network-of-dna-based-life-emits-ultra-weak-radio-waves/) [Jeremy Narby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-narby/) > [“the pace of our ability to read and write DNA increases tenfold every year.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-rollins/the-pace-of-our-ability-to-read-and-write-dna-increases-tenfold-every/) [James Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-rollins/) > [If you can write DNA, you're no longer limited to 'what is' but to what you could make.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-endy/if-you-can-write-dna-you-re-no-longer-limited-to-what-is-but-to-what/) [Drew Endy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-endy/) > [When you think about it, caring for patients is 99 percent information and 1 percent intervention, so it's clear that with or without genomics,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-g-chute/when-you-think-about-it-caring-for-patients-is-99-percent-information/) [Christopher G. 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The time is right to bring the full power of genomics to bear on the problem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/we-are-still-working-with-an-incomplete-compass-the-time-is-right-to/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) > [From a genomic perspective, we are all Africans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/svante-p-bo/from-a-genomic-perspective-we-are-all-africans/) [Svante Paabo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/svante-p-bo/) > [Like the early days of the Internet, the dawn of personal genomics promises benefits and pitfalls that no one can foresee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/like-the-early-days-of-the-internet-the-dawn-of-personal-genomics/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [I...asked why purebloods despised me so. He replied, 'What if the difference between social strata stem not from genomics or inherent xcellence or even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mitchell/i-asked-why-purebloods-despised-me-so-he-replied-what-if-the/) [David Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mitchell/) > [“The dirty little secret of genomics is that we still know next to nothing about how a genome translates into the particularities of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/svante-p-bo/the-dirty-little-secret-of-genomics-is-that-we-still-know-next-to/) [Svante Pääbo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/svante-p-bo/) ## More by Scott Gottlieb > [Obamacare mandates a largely uniform structure and set of benefits and insurance design across the entire country. It leaves consumers with very little real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-gottlieb/obamacare-mandates-a-largely-uniform-structure-and-set-of-benefits/) [Scott Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-gottlieb/) > [What makes the EpiPen unique is its delivery vehicle - an auto-injector that's packaged in a convenient, pen-like device. The product's key attribute is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-gottlieb/what-makes-the-epipen-unique-is-its-delivery-vehicle-an-auto-injector/) [Scott Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-gottlieb/) > [It's now evident that public health is part of national security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-gottlieb/it-s-now-evident-that-public-health-is-part-of-national-security/) [Scott Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-gottlieb/) > [We need to make sure that access to a curative drug doesn't become a yardstick by which poverty is eventually measured. 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Modeled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-gottlieb/at-the-heart-of-president-barack-obama-s-health-care-plan-is-an/) [Scott Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-gottlieb/) > [There are two main types of immunity to an infection. Innate immunity comes from circulating cells that attack any invader the body views as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-gottlieb/there-are-two-main-types-of-immunity-to-an-infection-innate-immunity/) [Scott Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-gottlieb/) > [A seductive technology that works like a dream and improves lives will set off a consumer clamor, whether the new tool is an iPhone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-gottlieb/a-seductive-technology-that-works-like-a-dream-and-improves-lives/) [Scott Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-gottlieb/) > [Our Founders thought politicians should be accountable when it comes to citizens' right to life, liberty and the pursuit of heart surgery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-gottlieb/our-founders-thought-politicians-should-be-accountable-when-it-comes/) [Scott Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-gottlieb/) > [Trying to stretch the mission of a health program like Medicaid, as a way to launder redistributionist goals, ends up serving nobody well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-gottlieb/trying-to-stretch-the-mission-of-a-health-program-like-medicaid-as-a/) [Scott Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-gottlieb/) > [Rather than redistribute physician income as a way to subsidize an expansion of government control, Mr. Obama should fix the payment system to align…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-gottlieb/rather-than-redistribute-physician-income-as-a-way-to-subsidize-an/) [Scott Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-gottlieb/) > [The ability of working class Americans to bargain for health coverage at work gave them access to the same basic packages of benefits as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-gottlieb/the-ability-of-working-class-americans-to-bargain-for-health-coverage/) [Scott Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-gottlieb/) > [Historical records show that smallpox was a human scourge for thousands of years. 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We've done all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/we-became-homo-sapiens-not-that-long-ago-from-the-scientific/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [Evolution happens in jumps, very rapidly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-ferguson/evolution-happens-in-jumps-very-rapidly/) [Marilyn Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-ferguson/) > [“Toshiaki learned that all living organisms were governed by their DNA. He was impressed by perfection of this system.Why did existence have the ability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hideaki-sena/toshiaki-learned-that-all-living-organisms-were-governed-by-their-dna/) [Hideaki Sena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hideaki-sena/) > [I'm all about evolution. I'm the first person to judge myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-weeknd/i-m-all-about-evolution-i-m-the-first-person-to-judge-myself/) [The Weeknd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-weeknd/) > [We are somehow the children of the planet, we are somehow its finest hour; we bind time, we bind the past, we anticipate the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/we-are-somehow-the-children-of-the-planet-we-are-somehow-its-finest/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [I think the ethics and morals of genetic engineering are very complicated. It intrigues me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-spottiswoode/i-think-the-ethics-and-morals-of-genetic-engineering-are-very/) [Roger Spottiswoode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-spottiswoode/) > [Biochemists and biologists who adhere blindly to the Darwinism theory search for results that will be in agreement with their theories and consequently orient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-paul-grasse/biochemists-and-biologists-who-adhere-blindly-to-the-darwinism-theory/) [Pierre-Paul Grasse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-paul-grasse/) > [“A note of caution: epigenetics is also on the verge of transforming into a dangerous idea. Epigenetic modifications of genes can potentially superpose historical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siddhartha-mukherjee/a-note-of-caution-epigenetics-is-also-on-the-verge-of-transforming/) [Siddhartha Mukherjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siddhartha-mukherjee/) > [Natural history is not taught in seminary. 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