Online Genetic Testing - £300

Jimbo Mahoney

Jimbo Mahoney

Jimbo Mahoney

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
6,672
I was reading an article in a magazine I subscribe to at work and came across a small textbox in the article about a genetic testing company related to Google:

www.23andme.com

I was amazed to see it's only $399 + $70 shipping (~£300) for them to test your DNA for ~1/2 million common SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) and to give a brief summary of the likely conditions this predisposes you to.

It was started by the wife of the guy who started Google.

As a graduate in Biochemistry / geek / futurist, I must say I am seriously tempted.

You can log in and create a demo account - it's pretty amazing!

Of course, the security of the data and the ethics of the whole thing is another kettle of bananas...
 
I was listening to something about this on the radio - the whole "would you want to know?" discussion.

If I had the money, I think I would :)
 
these sites have been knocking around for a while and from what i've heard they do exactly what they say on the tin. Obviously the point being is it will tell you if there are any genetic diseases/conditions you are likely to inherit. Probably easier and cheaper to ask your parents.
 
LucyTurnip said:
Obviously the point being is it will tell you if there are any genetic diseases/conditions you are likely to inherit.
Click to expand...

The problem with that is the human genome isn't too well understood at the moment, and a lot of the time disease links with genes are pretty tenuous. There are places that'll analyse the DNA of you and your other half to see if you're "compatible" too, even though it's also based on pretty controversial ideas.

Best to save yourself the cash IMO.
 
Has anyone ever used 23andme? I keep reading about it in articles in Wired and tempted to do it. Only $199 now, would be interested to see what other people thing.

Might be a bit of a waste of money, but I think it is interesting.
 
I heard on the radio that boots are selling "kits" which basically contain a cotton swab and some envelopes for this type of service.

Edit: Or not, it's for paternity testing!
 
Jimbo Mahoney said:
~£300) for them to test your DNA for ~1/2 million common SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) and to give a brief summary of the likely conditions this predisposes you to.
Click to expand...

So you'll pay £300 quid to know that you may get something...

One. Born. Every. Minute.

You could get run over by a bus tomorrow. Spend the £300 on hookers or something.
 
I really don't think I'd like to know - I'm all for living, and would hate to think if it came back with:

You have a 98% likelyhood of knob rot.

:(
 
tres said:
I really don't think I'd like to know - I'm all for living, and would hate to think if it came back with:

You have a 98% likelyhood of knob rot.

:(
Click to expand...

:D Genuine lol.

Its nothing but a scam tbh. There are articles in New Scientist where they sent the same samples to different labs and got completely different results.
Its the modern equivalent of snake oil. Only slightly more reliable than homeopathy.
 
I have had mine done (well, both my parents had theirs done), my dad got my mum it for her 60th birthday.

The stuff they got back was facinating, my mums historical thing was from all over europe, literally 20-30 countries, red dots all over the map, my old mans however was only two dots, one in sicily and one from a tribe of moldovan gypsies!
 
A colleague had his done. I wasn't that impressed but he got it in their Christmas sale for ~£100.

Personally, I'd rather the CIA didn't have my DNA.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom