The human genome in particular gives insight to the heterogeneity of cancer, the causes of aging and the complexity of the immune system. While the potential to manipulate genomes has stirred the pot of ethical and social mores , scientists are eager to advance human health and attain greater understanding of all life, according to the journal. They may represent the first human ancestors to journey out of Africa, a journey that took place well before advances such as the hand axe. Scientific advances beyond Earth also center on an understanding of, and the search for, life. Europa have piqued interest in the possibility of life within Earth's immediate solar neighborhood.
Water is considered a key ingredient for the existence of life.
Other highlights on the list include a discovery that all forms of life on Earth began with RNA, electrically conducting plastics, a discovery that cells from one part of the body can remake themselves into other types of cells in other parts of the body. The journal also handed out some other, more dubious, honors. Looking forward to 2001, the editors expect scientific breakthroughs in understanding of infectious diseases, ocean studies with satellites and an increase in science funding around the world.