Would YOU want to know what your genome holds?
Complete Genomics launched this week with an announcement to provide a person’s entire genetic sequence for $5,000 each.
The company’s ultimate goal is to sequence 1 million complete genomes, or 1,000 people each in 1,000 disease studies, in the hopes of revealing the genetic basis behind major human diseases. From a scientist’s point of view, this is exactly the data and perhaps sample size we need to study the role of genetics on development and cause of disease. It would be a nightmare to analyze, but it won’t be for lack of data, if the sequence will be made available across different studies.
But it’s another story from an individual’s point of view. Having a complete sequence of one’s genome will identify all the genetic mutations and alleles that could be related to or causing diseases, and the question is - would you really want to know?
The Voodoo Medicine Man asks a more pointed question: "What if you were 30 years old and your genome showed you were going to develop Huntington’s chorea, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)? Would you live life differently? Would you want to live? Would you reproduce?"
WOULD YOU? Would you want to know what your genome holds? The comments are open.
(This post is part of the Health and Wellness Channel Theme Day - "Harvest")
Tags: complete genomics, diseases, genome, sequenceRelated Stories
POSTED IN: DNA sequencing, Genetic information and education
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