If future experiments prove that such genes are essential to the bacterium's happy existence in the gut, then small molecules might be administered to block this pathway and make El Tor's life rather more difficult.

ECONOMIST: The cholera genome

These components, which have their own private sets of genes, are essential for metabolism: they release energy from sugar.

ECONOMIST: Centenarians

In the yeast cell, they found only about a quarter of the genes and proteins appeared to be essential, in that they connected to large numbers of other proteins and substances.

WSJ: Genes May Link Disparate Diseases

Humans are believed to have between 80, 000 essential proteins coded by between 20, 000 to 30, 000 genes, and while some genetic mutations can be tolerated, others are incredibly detrimental.

FORBES: Europe Takes The Lead Toward Approval Of First Gene Therapy Drug

The concept of sustainable use of biodiversity is essential in this regard: it means that forest species, ecosystems and genes are used in a way and at a rate that does not lead to the long-term decline of biodiversity, thereby maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations.

UNESCO: Indigenous Peoples

On the face of it, genes that cause diseases do share one thing: they are, in a technical sense, non-essential.

ECONOMIST: Genetic disease and evolution