Time names the 23andMe retail DNA test 'Invention of the Year'
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted November 3rd 2008 10:59PM
posted November 3rd 2008 10:59PM
Time Magazine has released its annual Best Inventions issue, and topping the list is the 23andMe retail DNA test, a kit which which offers consumers 23 clinical reports on their genetic risk for everything from Psoriasis to Prostate Cancer. It may not be as well known as last year's iPhone (or YouTube the year before that), but the $399 package might signal a significant revolution in preventative medicine... or it might bring mankind a disturbing new form of eugenics. Whatever you use it for, the process couldn't be easier: the kit comes with a tube that you spit in and mail back to the company, which in a mere 4 - 6 weeks will notify you that testing is complete. As you wait for the results to be posted online you might want to spend some time contemplating the ethical dilemmas posed by this technology.
I can see it now - "I want to thank you for the invention of the year award" *under breath* "for my cardboard box that I stuck a test tube and a stamp in."
Or you could just save $400 and EAT HEALTHY ANYWAY.
I don't know if I'm predisposed to anything, but I live my life as if I were predisposed to everything.
Where's the fun in that?
+1 to Michael.
Sounds like you need to live a little more dangerously, mate.
besides, there might be things which cannot be adressed by a different diet but for example by taking certain drugs, reduce (!) sports, not flying, not diving, not driving a car, etc.
Whilst I agree, that these data should be kept from your health insurance (at least in countries where it is not guaranteed that you will get the same insurance whatever your preconditions are), it would make it easier to treat certain cases. There is this holy grail for medecine, called personalised treatment. Meaning, that you don't treat based on symptoms but actually knowing, what's wrong with the patient and adjust the pharmaceiticals accordingly (and if you don't want pharmaceuticals then you can use this information to adjust whatever else you want to use)...
The big question here is whether DNA from your spit really will tell you what your preconditions are! Whilst inherited diseases will show in the spit as well, newly aquiered DNA mutations won't necessarily. On the other hand, just because they are in the spit, they might not be in the tissue where they actually would have an effect. Personnally, I think tests like this should be performed by a Doctor and discussed with the patient, in order to make sure, that he or she understands the results and don't panic or over react. Besides, I would make sure what is written in the user agreement of this company, because this data could be used in many other ways!
Few things:
1) Having a gene which may represent a statistically increased chance at developing a disease does not mean you will get the disease. It's a well known fact that while we can't change our genes, genes CAN be switched on and off by diet, lifestyle and environment (and who knows what else). Not all genes of course, but some and perhaps many.
2) This kit does not sequence your genome, but rather uses a "gene chip" inclusive of some custom analysis. It's only a small snapshot of a few known genes.
3) We really don't know near enough about genes and gene function for these sorts of things to be truly relevant in a medical sense. Telomeric DNA, Alternative Splicing, Gene-Association... yada yada. There are simply too many things we don't understand to put much weight on such a simple screen. It can shed some light on your background and offer some novelty information, but the technology is far too immature to warrant major life changes.
That all being said, the chance for this info to be used for discretionary purposes is definitely real, and real scary. It's something worth thinking about, as is laws regarding genetic information in general. There is a very good chance some company or institution has already patented and has legal rights to some of the genes in your body.
lol @ gattaca
As a medical student one thing is clear
Never go "fishing for a disease" with lab tests, most diagnostic tests when ordered are to RULE OUT a diagnosis, not to RULE in
this product is just going to make people even more paranoid -___-
I guess that's exactly what "real" scientists don't understand about medicine ;)
It is called knowing what is the cause instead of treating symptoms...
anyway, dsicussion for a different forum!
23AndMe's co-founder is Sergey Brin's wife. Not sure I want my medical history on Google.
Um, it only takes 30 seconds on CSI. :) $400 with results in 4-6 weeks? Painful.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSI_Effect
This is soooo.... PAINFULLY STUPID! It is not an invention, people, for F#%@$ sake, it's a payed in advance service of a company. What you get is... a plastic and glass vile. Then you have to mail it to them? Are you kidding me? So what is the guarantee that they don't lose it, misplace it, replace it, switch it, tempter with it, accidental destroy it, mix it with somebody else s DNA?
And you have to wait almost 2 months for the results... for now. With more people sending in these samples believe you me this waiting period shall extend to... years. Remember: it is not the product you are buying, it's the service, with NO GUARANTEES. And THIS becomes "invention of the year"? Who makes these decisions? Now there's somebody who should be sprayed with gasoline and set on fire!
I had a genetic test that showed showed I have hemochromatosis, a condition where my body absorbs too much iron. Treatment for this disease will let me live much longer. I highly recommend the right tests that can lead to proper treatment.
Don't know if this particular test kit covers this disease....just shows there is value in testing.
albertine is doing an artistic experiment, called 200gr
she need your click to buy her dna kit.
with all your contribution she will be able to discover if her dna weight is 200gr as science says
so just click on the google ads on this page :
http://www.albertinemeunier.net/200grammes/