Health and Biotech in 2025: What's Next?

In just a couple of weeks, the world will bid farewell to 2025, marking the end of a year filled with significant advancements in health and biotechnology. The MIT Technology Review team has been compiling their list of breakthrough technologies for 2026, which will be published in the new year. Meanwhile, colleague Antonio Regalado has compiled a list of the year's worst technologies, inviting readers to test their knowledge of the past year's biotech developments. According to Regalado, the past year has seen notable progress in various fields, including gene therapy, IVF, and neurotech. "We've seen incredible breakthroughs in gene editing, with CRISPR technology being used to treat a range of diseases, from sickle cell anemia to muscular dystrophy," Regalado said. "Additionally, advancements in IVF have made it possible for more people to access reproductive technologies, and neurotech has enabled the development of implantable devices that can restore vision and hearing." One of the most significant developments in the field of gene therapy is the use of CRISPR technology to treat genetic diseases. "CRISPR has revolutionized the field of gene editing, allowing scientists to precision-edit genes with unprecedented accuracy," said Dr. Jennifer Doudna, a pioneer in the field of CRISPR research. "This technology has the potential to treat a wide range of genetic diseases, from inherited disorders to cancer." The past year has also seen significant advancements in the field of vitamin D research. Scientists have discovered that vitamin D plays a crucial role in immune system function and heart health. "Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a range of health problems, including autoimmune diseases and cardiovascular disease," said Dr. Jessica Hamzelou, a researcher at the University of Cambridge. "Our research has shown that vitamin D supplementation can have a significant impact on immune system function and heart health." In addition to these breakthroughs, the past year has also seen significant advancements in the field of artificial intelligence. AI is being increasingly used in healthcare, from diagnosing diseases to developing personalized treatment plans. "AI has the potential to revolutionize the field of healthcare, enabling doctors to make more accurate diagnoses and develop more effective treatment plans," said Dr. Eric Horvitz, a researcher at Microsoft. As we look to the future, the MIT Technology Review team is excited to publish their list of breakthrough technologies for 2026. The list will highlight the most significant advancements in health and biotechnology, and provide a glimpse into the exciting developments that are on the horizon. "We're excited to share our list of breakthrough technologies with the world, and to highlight the incredible progress that has been made in the field of health and biotechnology," said Antonio Regalado.