How much of Earth's life is still undiscovered?
Summary
Hosts Nate and Regina explore the surprising frequency of new species discoveries, citing recent finds like a new cat and penguin. They discuss research showing 16,000 new species are identified annually and introduce the Earth BioGenome Project, a "biological moonshot" to sequence every living organism. The episode highlights how genetic archives could revolutionize medicine and agriculture while addressing challenges like funding cuts and global equity in sharing biological resources.
Topics discussed
Discovery of a new cat species in Bolivia
New penguin species found in the Subantarctic
Statistics on the rate of new species discovery
Introduction to the Earth BioGenome Project
Taxonomy and the number of described species
Estimates of total species and microscopic life
Using genetic data to identify new species
Goals and conservation benefits of the BioGenome Project
Genetic distinctiveness and conservation challenges
Evolutionary history and potential solutions in nature
Applications in medicine and pharmaceuticals
Applications in agriculture and crop resilience
Feasibility and the falling cost of genome sequencing
Challenges: funding, equity, and nationalism
Logistical challenges and closing remarks
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