Your Genome at the click of a button

While we strive to learn more about the world around us, we neglect the fact that we know very little about ourselves and what tomorrow has on offer for us - until now, that is! Now there are companies that offer people the opportunity to delve into their genome and see their own destiny. Silicon Valley startup 23andME has begun to offer personal genotyping service. For a mere $1000 and vial of spit, 23andME will run a sample of your DNA and identify "nearly 600,000 data points on your genome". They will, then, load your information up onto their website and you are free to investigate your genome at your own leisure!

23andMe isn't the only company mapping your genome - deCODE Genetics, a biopharmaceutical business in Iceland, offers a similar service called deCODEme. However, 23andMe may has a huge advantage over all its other competitors because it has the might of Google behind it. Google's investment in 23andMe suggests that this company wishes to extend its services beyond individual gene maps. Think about it, as its online store of genetic information develops, the company is assured to end up with a database of invaluable information for pharmaceutical companies and medical researchers.

This database could reveal hidden connections between genes and diseases, and 23andME has recognised this and seems to want to utilize it. In a statement, 23andME states that it wishes to grant external groups access to its database and allow them to search "without knowing the identities of the individuals involved" for links between genetic variations and health conditions. Gene mapping bound to turn into a lucrative business and given that people can be easily tracked via cookies on the internet, it may not be long before we see genetically targeted advertising.

For futher information:
https://www.23andme.com/
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN1948129620071119
http://www.news.com/Google-invests-3.9-million-in-biotech-start-up/2100-1014_3-6185860.html

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