The non-profit X Prize Foundation and private firm Knome are auctioning a whole genome sequence on eBay.  The starting bid is $68,000 and the highest bidder will walk away with a full readout of their gene map, along with a complete interpretation of their genetic details.

There are about 1,600 known genes that influence an individual’s health, and the health of their offspring, according to George Church professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School. Church has worked on the Human Genome Project and is also a co-founder of Knome.

Scientists are hoping to revolutionize modern medical treatment by making genome sequencing a common-place occurrence leading to more individualized medical care and treatment, as well as boosting preventive care to new levels.  Beyond identifying risk of diseases, sequencing can also determine an individual’s potential reaction to certain drugs and tag those which may be ineffective or even toxic.

However exciting these findings may be, predicting disease is a tricky business and, according to researches, there is still much to be understood. Recent studies which suggest that many diseases are the result of variations of several genes, rather than just one gene.  According to David Goldstien, head of the Center for Human Genome Variations at Duke University, much more research needs to be done before genetic testing can be applied to personalized medicine.

See CNN for further information:

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/23/genome.ebay/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

Hello, my name is Meagan Cantrell, welcome to my blog! I am the owner of DNA Identifiers of California which provides DNA testing services and products to organizations and the general public. You can visit my site from the link on the right side of the page.

Many of our clients ask interesting questions, which I track and compile in an effort to keep abreast of this ever-changing technology and it’s impact on our lives. I decided to start this blog in an effort to share that information, plus news and current events in the DNA and Genetics community. I hope you find my blog useful and informative. I’ll admit, I am excited to see how it turns out myself!

If you ever have anything to add, by all means, please jump in with two feet! And, of course, you are welcome to contact me directly with any questions or comments… or the need to purchase a DNA test!

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