Be the Change You Wish to See
Authors: Sonia Muliyil
Journal: Trends in Genetics (2020)

I write this editorial full of optimism and hope for all that the future holds. The past few months have literally changed the course of history for humankind. It has exposed the vulnerabilities of the entire human race and served as a reminder of why it's worth investing in scientific research for the betterment of our future. I took charge of Trends in Genetics in the middle of a pandemic. Despite the harsh realities of the situation, I was left amazed by the unity and kindness displayed by all members of the medical and scientific community; this includes authors and reviewers who have continued to perform services for the community in addition to maintaining an engaged and connected remote research group, abruptly transitioning to online teaching, and participating in numerous webinars and virtual conferences – all while fulfilling their numerous personal responsibilities. Undeterred and determined to save lives, scientists and medics across the world embarked on a unique journey to find a cure for an 'invisible' enemy. As the explorations continue, emerging evidence points towards different genetic signatures that can accentuate both predisposition and symptoms of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) in humans. This fact, combined with an unprecedented effort to amalgamate genetic testing with tracing, brings to the fore the value of genetic techniques and approaches in a world embroiled in turmoil. Who would have imagined that the ability to perform a routine PCR reaction would prove a life-saving skill? This reality serves as a reminder of the importance of simple yet elegant techniques that have often laid the foundation for many path-breaking discoveries. Over the years, TiGS has navigated the balance between basic and translational to the best of its capacity. I am particularly drawn to the first few issues of the journal, dating back nearly 35 years, with much of its contents still being read and cited in contemporary studies. The field of genetics has come a long way, even in the 35 years that the journal has been active. In fact, the field of genetics along with genomics – its very own partner in crime – have managed to make themselves indispensable from many of their other biological counterparts. The field has navigated through various disciplines, sometimes camouflaging, and at other times leaving a distinct imprint of its own, almost at the risk of losing its own identity. I believe, now, more than ever, the field of genetics requires collaboration and alliance with other disciplines. This element of interdisciplinarity is especially relevant for clinical and translational medicine that aims to correct genetic disorders. Along these lines, we have a scientific life article in our September issue illustrating the need for nongeneticists who can facilitate ground-breaking discoveries in genetics. While TiGS has been the face of basic research in genetics, it is my hope that it will increasingly acknowledge and review breakthroughs being made in the field of clinical genetics and applied sciences. I believe reviews that highlight this aspect would be particularly welcomed by the growing community. I am especially proud of our September issue that encompasses the ever-expanding breadth of the subject with topics that cover areas of molecular, evolutionary, clinical, and plant genetics. It also features a forum discussion highlighting the need to address the subject of compensation and credit for donors. In addition to the pandemic, there has been growing unrest surrounding a matter requiring urgent attention and action. Racial discrimination in science is something that the community should unequivocally condemn. We cannot dispute the contributions made by scientists of color. For example, some of us would not be alive without the scientific breakthroughs they have made. Cell Press as a whole has raised its voice against all racial discrimination, pledging to act as a platform for all scientists who are facing discrimination in the workplace [1.Cell Editorial Team Science has a racism problem.Cell. 2020; 181: 1443-1444Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (44) Google Scholar]. Trends in Genetics stands firmly by this statement. This pledge is especially relevant for all scientists engaged in genetics research since many of its subfields still remain skewed with regard to diversity and racial representation in its data sets. In the past, the use of different genetic backgrounds across model organisms had to be reported in all studies. This was not accorded the same degree of importance in human clinical studies – an oversight now being corrected across the board. Along these lines, an article by Irene Cantone in this issue highlights the sex bias in disease that stems from gender-based differences within the human genome. I believe that increased representation of minority ethnicities and a good gender balance in genetic research, coupled with appropriate and careful steps taken to manage the data mined from such studies, require increased discussion and debate. Trends in Genetics will continue to challenge the status quo by inviting and publishing articles in this regard. The Covid-19 pandemic along with the serious pattern of systemic racial bias have exposed the many inequalities present in academia, showcasing the perils faced by early career researchers (ECRs). I believe that this is a good time for the community to introspect on what can be done to rectify the wrongs. Again, on this front, I would like to invite articles that discuss measures to both support ECRs and highlight the wide range of careers that young researchers can pursue. On a more personal front, I especially encourage ECRs who aspire to a career in academia to get in touch with their resume regarding reviewing options. Over the years, the advisory board has been a great support for the journal. I will continue to work closely with members of the board and seek counsel as and when necessary. It has been a great pleasure interacting with many members in the last couple of weeks. I believe their shared valuable insights and a continued dialogue will enable the journal to keep up with the trends in the field. In line with the Cell Press diversity pledge (https://www.cell.com/diversity), I also plan to invest efforts towards increasing gender diversity and geographical representation within the board. As I sign off this editorial, I believe that where there is a will, there is always a way. I invite you, as a community, to be part of the change that we want to see around us. Every little step in the right direction matters; it might not bring about a revolution but should make an observable dent and provide a stimulus for others to follow suit.