Episode Overview

Podcast: Bloomberg Businessweek
Episode Title: Genomics Creative Predictive Power in the Medical Field
Date: October 24, 2025
Hosts: Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec
Guest: Dr. Wendy Chung, Chief of Pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital, Mary Ellen Avery Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School

This episode dives into the transformative potential of genomics in healthcare, focusing on the predictive power of genetic information, the state of access and equity in the U.S., and advancements in gene-editing technologies. Dr. Wendy Chung shares her expertise and vision for a future in which genomic tools enable personalized, preventive, and more equitable healthcare, especially for children and rare disease patients.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Emergence of Genomics in Healthcare (01:49–03:16)

• Main Point: Recent studies highlight that a significant percentage of ICU patients carry genetic mutations relevant to their care, underscoring the powerful implications of genetic knowledge in medicine.
• Quote:
  “A quarter of adults under the age of 40 who had been admitted to the Penn Medicine ICU carried a mutation that would have been relevant to their treatment.”
  — Tim Stanovec (01:56)
• Genomic testing technology is rapidly evolving, becoming increasingly comprehensive and accessible.
• Quote:
  “Genetic testing, what becomes available changes so frequently. I mean, year to year, they can identify more and more.”
  — Carol Massar (02:22)

2. The Promise and Challenges of Modern Genetics (03:16–04:26)

• Dr. Wendy Chung’s Perspective:
  “We have amazing opportunities, amazing opportunities specifically around genetics, both in terms of diagnostics, predicting and being able to tailor health and health prevention and health treatment...especially in the rare disease space.” (03:16)
• Technology and data are making it possible to deliver genetic insights faster, more accurately, and at scale.
• The U.S., however, lags in health outcomes due in part to inequitable access to emerging genetic technologies and care.

3. Equity, Access, and the “K-Shaped” Healthcare Economy (04:26–05:36)

• Disparities in healthcare parallel economic inequality—the benefits of genomics could worsen or improve existing divides.
• Dr. Chung’s Vision: Universal newborn genome sequencing could allow earlier identification and intervention for treatable conditions, reducing the “diagnostic odyssey” that many families endure.
• Quote:
  “Can we think about blowing that up in a good way by being able to do genome sequencing to identify all the treatable conditions so that everyone gets access to this?...make sure that diagnostic odyssey doesn't go on for very long to start the treatment?”
  — Dr. Wendy Chung (04:45)

4. Is Universal Genomic Screening Feasible? (05:36–06:36)

• The main barriers are economic—current costs (~$1,000 per newborn) are prohibitive for widespread adoption, but technological advancements and economies of scale could drive prices down.
• Quote:
  “Let’s just say it costs $1,000 per baby...if we can drive down the cost by 50%, 75%, I do think if you look at the health economics in terms of the return on investment, it easily pays for itself over a 10 year period.”
  — Dr. Wendy Chung (06:06)

5. Gene Editing: From Research to Reality (06:36–07:45)

• Technologies like CRISPR are advancing, particularly for single-gene conditions, although not yet routine for all disorders.
• Regulatory agencies are starting to see the value in platform approaches—leveraging successful treatments for one disease category across others.
• Quote:
  “We are getting towards those platforms to be able to do this...for the 7,000 rare diseases, I don't think we have to solve the problem 7,000 times. I think it's going to come to a much simpler number of solutions.”
  — Dr. Wendy Chung (07:00)

6. Children’s Health: Making This “The Decade of the Kids” (07:45–09:08)

• Genomic screening can inform not just rare disease detection but unlock insights on learning disabilities, diabetes, asthma, cancer risk, and more.
• The promise is a tailored approach—custom surveillance, interventions, and resource allocation for each child.
• Quote:
  “It’s not a one size fits all for everyone. You really get more out of the energy and the money you’re putting into it because it’s tailored for the person.”
  — Dr. Wendy Chung (08:15)
• Using both biomarkers and genetic data, providers can better predict and manage disease progression.

7. The Next Frontier: AI and Quantum Computing (09:08–09:34)

• Tim Stanovec closes by acknowledging that the rise of AI and quantum computing will further revolutionize predictive medicine, urging Dr. Chung to return for future discussions.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Scaling Newborn Genomic Screening:
  “If we can drive down the cost by 50%, 75%, I do think...the return on investment, it easily pays for itself over a 10 year period.”
  — Dr. Wendy Chung (06:06)

• On Platform Solutions for Rare Diseases:
  “For the 7,000 rare diseases, I don’t think we have to solve the problem 7,000 times. I think it’s going to come to a much simpler number of solutions.”
  — Dr. Wendy Chung (07:00)

• On Personalized Surveillance:
  “How do you tailor their surveillance?... because it’s tailored for the person.”
  — Dr. Wendy Chung (08:15)

• Looking Forward:
  “Emerging technologies, whether it's artificial intelligence or quantum computing...are going to be very important metrics when it comes to disease predictability.”
  — Tim Stanovec (09:08)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|------------| | Intro to Genomics in Medical Field | 01:49–03:16| | The Equity Gap in U.S. Health Outcomes | 03:42–04:26| | Universal Genomic Newborn Screening Vision | 04:45–05:36| | Barriers to Widespread Screening | 05:36–06:36| | Gene Editing and Future of Rare Diseases | 06:36–07:45| | Personalized Medicine for Children | 07:45–09:08| | The Role of AI & Quantum in Next-gen Medicine | 09:08–09:34|

Conclusion

This episode spotlights the explosive growth and future promise of genomics in revolutionizing health care, while placing equity and access at the heart of the discussion. Dr. Wendy Chung emphasizes that with falling costs, regulatory innovation, and smarter data tools, precision medicine can become a norm—especially for the youngest and most vulnerable—and that, with continued technological progress, we are on the cusp of the “decade of the kids.”

For anyone interested in the transformative power of genetics and the future of healthcare delivery, this episode captures both the exhilarating possibilities and the urgent challenges that lie ahead.