Final answer:
With advances in genetics technology, students might be able to have their genome sequenced for under $1000 within the next decade. This will enhance personalized medicine by allowing for quicker genetic disorder diagnosis and more tailored treatments. Such advancements will make proactive health management more accessible.
Step-by-step explanation:
With rapid advancements in genetics, it is likely that within the next decade, genome sequencing will be affordable enough for individual students to have their genomes sequenced for under $1000. Sequencing techniques have been dramatically improved since the completion of the Human Genome Project, leading to decreased costs and increased speed of genome sequencing.
The ability to sequence a genome rapidly can revolutionize personalized medicine. Fast DNA sequencing allows for quicker diagnosis of genetic disorders, enabling doctors to tailor treatments to an individual's genetic makeup. A notable example includes the successful use of whole-exome sequencing to identify and treat a young boy with a life-threatening genetic disorder, which ultimately saved his life through a bone-marrow transplant. This kind of advancement highlights the potential of genome sequencing to identify genetic predispositions to diseases and informing preventive health strategies or early interventions.
Furthermore, as technology progresses, the use of whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing will become more accessible and integrated into medical practice, facilitating the development of personalized treatments and making it easier for individuals to manage their health proactively based on their genetic information.