Genetics as a window onto the past and future: Juliana Vianna joins a scientific conversation at Puerto de Ideas Antofagasta 2026
What does DNA tell us about who we are? How much of our history is written in our genes, and how much depends on the environment? These were among the questions guiding “Genetics of the Future,” a conversation held at the Puerto de Ideas Antofagasta 2026 festival.
The event brought together Chilean researcher Juliana Vianna and French-Spanish geneticist Lluis Quintana-Murci, in a discussion moderated by journalist Polo Ramírez. They explored genetics’ potential to illuminate species evolution, the origins of disease and new frontiers in medicine.
The genome: life’s instruction book
The researchers began by explaining what a genome is and why studying it has revolutionized modern biology. A genome is an organism’s complete set of genetic information: a long DNA sequence organized into chromosomes, containing the genes that direct how living things function.
Advanced sequencing technologies now allow scientists to read that information with a precision and speed unimaginable just two decades ago. As Vianna explained, the process involves fragmenting DNA, sequencing each piece, and reconstructing the complete genome using bioinformatics tools.
Genes and environment: a shared story
A central message was that genetics does not entirely determine our destiny. According to Quintana-Murci, humans are the product of continuous interaction between their genes and their surroundings.
This means that although we may have genetic predispositions to conditions such as metabolic diseases, factors including diet, environment and lifestyle also profoundly affect our health. Put simply, DNA establishes a range of possibilities, but experience writes the final story.
DNA as an archive of evolution
Genetics also allows the history of life on Earth to be reconstructed. By analyzing mutations accumulated in DNA, scientists can trace the origins and diversification of species over millions of years.
Vianna illustrated this with penguins, whose current distribution reflects a complex evolutionary history originating in the Southern Hemisphere. In humans, such analyses have helped explain processes including migration out of Africa and the peopling of the Americas.
Genetic diversity and conservation
The discussion also addressed genetic diversity’s importance for species survival. Quintana-Murci explained that admixture has been crucial in human evolutionary history. One example is interbreeding between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals: many populations outside Africa retain between 2% and 3% Neanderthal DNA, which may have contributed to adaptive processes.
Genetic diversity is equally crucial for biodiversity. Vianna noted that several Chilean species face conservation challenges associated with low genetic variability, including the southern river otter, Darwin’s fox and the güiña.
Understanding these species’ genomes makes it possible to assess population health and design more effective protection strategies.
Evolution in real time
Far from being confined to the past, evolution continues today. Quintana-Murci explained that over the past few thousand years, the human immune system has undergone intense natural selection in response to infectious diseases, particularly in densely populated regions where interactions between humans and pathogens have been greater.
The future: personalized medicine and sovereignty over biodiversity
Looking ahead, both experts agreed that genetics will play a central role in personalized medicine. Analyzing each person’s genetic profile alongside environmental and microbiological factors will enable more precise, effective treatments.
Vianna also stressed the importance of advancing genomic knowledge of the species that inhabit Chile.
“To have sovereignty over our biodiversity, we must first understand it,” she said.
Living longer—and better
The discussion closed with one of the 21st century’s major scientific and social challenges: not only increasing life expectancy but also improving quality of life.
To achieve this, the researchers concluded, we need an ever-better understanding of the complex interaction between genes, environment and health, integrating genetic knowledge into both scientific research and public policy.