How much of Earth's life is still undiscovered?
Summary
Hosts Nate Rott and Regina Barber explore the rapid discovery of new species, citing a study that estimates 16,000 are identified annually. They discuss the Earth BioGenome Project, a "biological moonshot" aiming to sequence the DNA of every living organism to create a genomic archive. The episode highlights how this genetic data could revolutionize medicine, agriculture, and conservation by unlocking natural solutions to human challenges.
Topics discussed
Intro and the discovery of a new cat species
Details on the Bolivian cloud forest cat
Discovery of a new penguin species
Statistics on modern species discovery rates
Overview of the episode's main topic
Why most new species are insects or invertebrates
History of taxonomy and Linnaeus's classification
Estimates of total species on Earth
Microscopic life within insects
The wonder of undiscovered life on Earth
Introduction to the Earth BioGenome Project
Applications of genomics in conservation
Genetic distinctness and conservation risks
Genomes as a record of evolution
Potential for new medicines from nature
Genomics in agriculture and crop resilience
Feasibility and falling costs of genome sequencing
Challenges: funding and equity in data sharing
The logistical challenge of global scale
Conclusion and credits
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