editorial Mendel for the modern era The genome of the model genetic organism Pisum sativum, or pea plant, links nineteenth-century genetics to twenty-frst-century genomics, serving as a symbol of how far the genetics feld has developed and how greatly technologies have advanced. Almost every student’s introduction to genetics currently involves learning Mendel’s laws; we envision that genomics and genome sequencing will become just as foundational in the education of future geneticists.

enetics surrounds us. It is everywhere A basic understanding of what a genome and extending into the genomics era, would in the popular media. Increasingly, is and how it operates, along with a sense empower patients or people getting their Gmembers of the public are being of the complexity and sheer amount of DNA sequenced by commercial companies made aware of issues relating to genomic information that genomes hold, is important to be better informed and less likely to technologies, whether through having their to teach as early as possible. When public misinterpret the results. DNA sequenced through companies such policy is being shaped around the privacy of Although education in genetics is as 23andMe or Ancestry.com, hearing about individuals’ genetic data, regulation of important, we believe that the genomics era reports of genome-edited babies or debating gene-edited or genetically modified has ushered in the need for having a working how genetically modified crops should be agricultural products, and guidelines for knowledge of central concepts related to labeled. An interested and engaged public is gene-based therapies to treat diseases, it is genome biology. Ideally, fundamentals such a positive thing, and we support educational crucial for the public to have a basic working as the size of the genome, and its linear endeavors to promote genetic literacy. knowledge of genetics and genomics. composition of DNA organized compactly The basic principles of inheritance and In addition, with the increasing interest into higher-order chromosomes, would be independent segregation were worked out in the direct-to-consumer genetic testing widespread knowledge. Where genes reside through Gregor Johann Mendel’s meticulous used by individuals to find out more about and how they operate from the genome study of the pea plant in the gardens of their ancestry, people should understand are, of course, still being worked out on Brno in the 1850s and 1860s. Generations what those tests are reporting and, more the research front. However, the broader of students have learned about dominant importantly, what their limitations are. concepts, and the links between single genes and recessive traits through the examples This understanding would often require a the whole genome, should be appreciated by of pea plant height, and pea pod or seed deeper knowledge of population genetics, a general audience. color and shape. The simple laws elucidated but basic principles, from Mendel to genome Consequently, we are excited to publish by Mendel are experimentally analyzed in sequencing, would aid in interpretation. the genome sequence of Mendel’s pea classrooms worldwide. Although genetic For example, knowing about the laws of plant. Although the individual genes and analysis has become orders of magnitude segregation and independent assortment sequences of Mendel’s seven original traits more sophisticated, Mendel and his humble would help people put the understanding of have been known for a while, we believe pea plants are a great guide and entry point family disease risk variants (how your DNA that the genome sequencing of the pea plant into the study of inheritance. relates to that of your parents or siblings) represents a symbolic milestone for genetics, Although most genetics students into context. Being familiar with concepts bringing the foundational experimental become familiar with the traits of the of recombination and inheritance would studies in basic models into the modern pea—including green versus yellow and enrich understanding and interpretation of sequencing era. We hope that Gregor wrinkled versus smooth, often placed within ancestry information. This understanding Mendel would approve. ❐ the ordered Punnett square—as their first would also help reduce hype and avoid foray into genetic study, we believe that a over-interpretation of genetics findings. simultaneous, complementary introduction Having a fundamental understanding of Published online: 2 September 2019 to genomics would also be appropriate. genetics principles, stemming from Mendel https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-019-0501-0

Nature Genetics | VOL 51 | SEPTEMBER 2019 | 1297 | www.nature.com/naturegenetics 1297