Wednesday / Jun 18 2025

Newspaper : The News

Key to harnessing this global shift lies in building ecosystems where creativity, knowledge, and enterprise can flourish

We are witnessing an extraordinary transformation in human civilisation, one being driven by an unprecedented surge in scientific discovery and technological advancement.

From the depths of space to the intricacies of the human genome, our understanding of the world is expanding at a pace that previous generations could scarcely have imagined. Today, truth often surpasses fiction and what once seemed like the stuff of fantasy is now a part of daily life.

The key to harnessing this global shift lies in building ecosystems where creativity, knowledge, and enterprise can flourish. Countries that recognise their greatest asset – the potential of their youth – and invest in high-quality education and research institutions are leading the way into a future defined by knowledge economies. The dynamic interplay between academia, industry, and the government – often referred to as the ‘triple helix’ – forms the backbone of this transformation. When these three forces work in unison, innovation can thrive and elevate societies to new heights of prosperity and self-reliance.

Let us first explore an innovation that sounds like pure science fiction: restoring sight to the blind using the sense of

touch. A remarkable invention now enables blind individuals to ‘see’ through their tongue. This is made possible by a compact system where a tiny camera is mounted on a pair of glasses worn by the user. The visual data is converted into electrical signals by a small device that fits in the pocket. These signals are then sent to a tongue-mounted interface that resembles a lollipop and contains sensitive electrodes. The brain quickly learns to interpret these impulses as visual information. Users are able to recognise objects, locate elevator buttons, and even identify people in a room. This technology, commercialised by US-based company Wicab Inc, has already helped several blind soldiers regain some visual function after suffering injuries. Similarly, Neuralink, a company established by Elon Musk, has developed brain chips for restoring eyesight to the blind, even if optical nerves of both eyes are damaged.

Invisibility, long a staple of fantasy literature, is also moving from the realm of imagination into practical science. Metamaterials – synthetic materials engineered at the microscopic level – can manipulate the behaviour of light in ways that natural substances cannot. These materials can bend light around objects, much like water flowing around a stone, thereby rendering the object invisible to the human eye. The potential applications are vast, particularly in defence, where cloaking technology could make submarines, aircraft and vehicles invisible to radar or even visual detection.

Genetic science is another frontier where astonishing progress is being made. About 60 years ago, Watson and Crick unveiled the structure of DNA – the double helix that encodes all biological information. Visualise DNA as a string of 3 billion beads in four colours, each representing a different nucleotide. The sequence of these ‘beads’ determines every detail about an organism, from eye colour and height to the functioning of internal organs and disease susceptibility.

Sequencing the first human genome cost around $60 million and took over a decade. Today, with advanced sequencing technology, this task can be completed in under a week at a fraction of the cost. Genetic testing services now offer partial DNA analysis for a few hundred dollars, identifying mutations that signal risk factors for diseases like cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular conditions – providing a chance for early intervention.

Meanwhile, the fusion of genetics and agriculture is laying the groundwork for a revolution in food security. Researchers are unlocking the genomic blueprints that enable some plants to survive in extremely salty environments, such as coastal marshes. By isolating and transferring these genes into major food crops like wheat, rice and maize, scientists aim to create salt-tolerant varieties that can be irrigated with seawater. Such innovations could dramatically expand arable land, particularly in regions facing water shortages, desertification and climate-induced agricultural collapse.

The biology of ageing is another frontier now yielding remarkable insights. Ageing in the human body is believed to be closely tied to structures known as telomeres – protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division. When telomeres become too short, cells stop dividing and enter a state of senescence, leading to the physical and functional declines associated with ageing.

Researchers have discovered a compound called resveratrol, found naturally in red grapes, that appears to activate an enzyme capable of preserving or even lengthening telomeres. In experiments with mice, Resveratrol extended lifespan and improved health markers, suggesting the potential for future anti-ageing therapies in humans. Other compounds that prolong ageing include Metformin, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) and Curcumin.

Equally fascinating are the advances in brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), which allow machines to be controlled by thought alone. The human brain emits different electrical signals, with beta waves particularly significant in decision-making and action. By wearing a cap embedded with sensors, individuals can generate and transmit these signals to computers, wheelchairs, or other devices.

This has profound implications for people with severe disabilities. A completely paralysed person could navigate a wheelchair or control a vehicle simply by thinking. A commercially available armband called ‘BodyWave’ can similarly read neuromuscular signals and translate them into commands.

These groundbreaking innovations are not just marvels of science but transformative tools with the potential to change the trajectory of human development. However, a radical shift in national priorities is essential for countries like Pakistan to benefit from these advances. Science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship must be placed at the core of our development strategy. Our universities and research institutions must be empowered and adequately funded to foster a culture of inquiry and discovery.

Unfortunately, Pakistan’s investment in higher education and research has dwindled in recent years. To reverse this decline, the budget should have been tripled. The establishment of a substantial national Venture Capital Fund is imperative to support start-ups and commercialise research. While India has committed INR80,000 crore to advance its higher education in its current five-year plan, Pakistan has seen regression rather than progress. It is time to wake up and make policies that help us transition to a technology-driven knowledge economy.