DNA Direct shrink wraps DNA for future forensics

Everyone could have their reasons for wanting to hold tight to a chunk of their DNA, and while many may just be creeped out by the whole premise, DNA Direct is offering those in the former camp an option. The outfit's DNA Archive enables customers to "store DNA in the safety and privacy of their own home" by mailing off a cheek (the one on your face, dur) swab full of double helices, which are then "shrink wrapped" using SampleMatrix technology and redelivered to the owner in lab-quality tubes and UV-resistant packaging. Should you wish to reconstitute the sample, just add a few drops of water and watch the magic take place. Three samples are included with each kit, so you can hide 'em away in varying locales if your situation necessitates such a dramatic action. The pain? $175.

[Via TGDaily]

[Christian Martin @ Dec 7th 2007 3:03PM]

Please note that it's a CHEEK SWAB, and not something else...

[ticklecricket @ Dec 7th 2007 3:17PM]

You could do something like this in your home with just gatorade, soap and rubbing alcohol. I'm sure it won't hold up as long, but it's a hell of a lot cheaper than 175

[bjrcboy @ Dec 7th 2007 3:06PM]

Finally I can clone myself!

[Wwhat @ Dec 7th 2007 3:10PM]

I'd so replace all samples with monkey DNA if I worked there.
And I'm normally very conscientious.

[henry @ Dec 7th 2007 3:36PM]

whoah, just add water and watch, eh? does that mean I can make little Sea Monkey clones of myself now? cuz that would rock. A whole undersea kingdom of me.

[StrangeBum @ Dec 7th 2007 3:40PM]

Some how that comment made me think of that South Park episode with Sea-ciety of Sea-men. The one where they...well....yeeaahhh, haha.

[Eldiablo @ Dec 7th 2007 3:22PM]

Or, come visit the UK, and get the police to do it for free, you don't even need to commit a crime!

[Wwhat @ Dec 7th 2007 3:58PM]

HAha, good point.
See, the government saves you money!

[derX @ Dec 7th 2007 3:46PM]

Okay, let me get this straight.

For $175, I am going swab the inside of my cheek and mail it to them, so they can store it all-nice-like and send it back to me. For $175.

If I ever need to access some of my DNA, why can I not, just, idk, swab the inside of my cheek when the moment presents itself, for free? It's not like DNA is in short supply.

---------------

$175 for cheek in a box.
I think not.

Something tells me these people do cryogenics, too.

[Ian @ Dec 7th 2007 3:56PM]

Thank you for saying what I was coming here to say in the first place. : )

[Wwhat @ Dec 7th 2007 4:01PM]

Perhaps it's for amateur CIA agents/cops that want to store samples of their 'suspects', or guys that want to store samples of all their GF in case of paternity suits.

[ts @ Dec 7th 2007 5:06PM]

I think there could well be some special circumstances where you may want to do this to your parents or grandparents, to be able to access any DNA issues that may be helpful in the future, but which aren't interpretable now. Or maybe to a loved one who's dying. And yes, that could be creepy...

[Wwhat @ Dec 7th 2007 6:22PM]

Sounds like a side-effect of watching too much CSI or SciFi and starting to believe in the nondescript 'magic' the writers attribute to DNA and what can be done with DNA.

[Elliott @ Dec 7th 2007 4:17PM]

Looks like an Altoid tin to me.

[michaelportent @ Dec 7th 2007 4:21PM]

I think this is great! In 2157 when people are brave enough to make human clones from DNA samples (and quash the ensuing rebellion of their failed, mutant test-subjects), I'd love being brought back to life. And, ultimately, it's a little less freezing-ass cold than cryogenics.

[tastybytes @ Dec 7th 2007 4:33PM]

is there fine print that allows them to retain your dna as a trademark? you may not be able to clone urself without paying them huge royalties..

[Sam @ Dec 7th 2007 4:35PM]

Okay for the record we did this at my school in s sophomore bio class in under 2 hours and i can be sure that the school was not paying anywhere near 100 dollars for each of us to take hom our own DNA.

[NickF @ Dec 7th 2007 5:14PM]

I've a storage facility that I live in that would work better than this "shrink wrap" method. All I've got to do it feed and water it and it's fine. It's called my body.
If we sent DNA and they sent us a map of our DNA that would be worth it. They might as well send us a picture of our DNA...

[AlexL @ Dec 7th 2007 6:03PM]

The article isn't clear on how exactly they store the DNA, which is what I think causing all the comments about how it's not worth the price. The value of this service is that they store the DNA in dried pallets, which are placed in those vials. This method is commonly used by laboratories working with DNA and RNA, where I used to work. The advantage is that dried pallets are much easier to store. As long as you keep it out of strong light exposure and high temperatures, it will hold up well for long periods of time. Then, when you actually need it, you add water to it.

[Andrew @ Dec 7th 2007 8:42PM]

I think it would be valuable in the likelihood that say you go missing...then your loved ones or family members can say "this is his DNA" and they could match that with any John/Jane Doe's found.

[eric @ Dec 7th 2007 9:57PM]

hmm altoids

[tekdemon @ Dec 7th 2007 10:15PM]

How long will this shrink wrapping keep the DNA fresh? I would like to know if my great-great-grandchildren will be able to ressurect me when the time for my 2nd coming is near.