Science & technology

THINKING ALOUD

The coming brave new world of designer babies

Genetic testing and other genomic services will likely be a hit in Asia

Established in 1969 under the Bien Hoa Sugar brand, AgriS manages a circular value chain ecosystem spanning nearly 91,000 ha of sugar cane and 30,000 ha of coconut plantations across Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Australia.

Vietnam sugar giant AgriS leverages Australian agronomy expertise to advance agritech across Asean

The deal with Queensland-based Farmacist aims to commercialise high-tech agricultural solutions at scale

“We believe good outcomes will emerge out of a vibrant, diverse yet close-knit research ecosystem,” said Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo.

Singapore doubles down on AI with S$1 billion R&D push amid US, China dominance

Authorities will partner industry players such as Changi Airport Group and Sembcorp to build core AI engineering capabilities

Racks for data servers, GPUs and CPUs in a data centre. It is estimated that US$3 trillion to US$7 trillion will be invested in AI infrastructure in the next five years.
PERSPECTIVE

Manias, panics and AI

The history of investment booms suggests three questions that should be asked of the current one

Desktop sequencer MiSeq i100 is developed and manufactured in the Woodlands facility.

Genomics giant Illumina to boost Singapore headcount by 25%, doubles down on local R&D

US-based company is developing next-generation sequencers, using AI models in the Republic to speed up diagnostics and lower healthcare costs

Recognition, integration and culture together form the connective tissue that will determine whether Singapore’s research continues to deliver benefits for society.

Building the next chapter of scientific competitiveness

Singapore must make the shift from measuring progress in research outputs or startup numbers to judging success by how science improves lives

The world will reap a record rice harvest of about 541 million tonnes in 2025 to 2026.

Rice can feed the world – even with fewer farmers

The world’s most important crop for food security is reaching its lowest price in 18 years

Now, genetic screening allows parents to test for a wide range of genetic predispositions, while advances in the technology of in-vitro fertilisation allow couples who have no problem conceiving to avail themselves of embryo screening.

Today’s eugenics is much more dangerous

Scientific progress, demographics, geopolitics and the decline of Christianity are weakening our moral defences against the misuse of genetics

In the long term, a biological computer could be used in fields such as robotics or to build systems with "generalised intelligence".
OFF TANGENT

Brain cells on silicon chips: The rise of ‘biological computers’

These machines could chart new paths in computing, with applications that include personalised medicine

Beijing has sought in recent years to reduce its dependence on foreign sources for critical technology and products.

China reviews impact of US data curbs due to Trump’s budget cuts

The move comes as Beijing and Washington have been working to get bilateral relations back on track