Andrew Pollack is quite right that "in most cases, the current level of DNA scanning technology and science is unable to offer meaningful predictions about the risk that a person will get a disease."
However, as we have seen, e.g. the specific case of Boonsri's tests and testimonies (see also the dramatization in YouTube "Shop for your Life") there are some absolute predictions of how daily shopping behavior can be certainly effected. HolGenTech is gearing up to empower a consumer, like her, via barcode-reader cell phone, to exactly determine that two almost identical supplements helping to prevent potential condition are absolutely more recommended than another; e.g. someone with known lactose intolerance should opt for the supplement that does NOT contain lactose, as the leading "other ingredient".
If a genomic test shows proclivity for Celiac Disease, the person may realize by eating foods containing gluten (wheat, barley), that the condition in fact, exists. Exactly this happened to Navigenics' first CEO (Mari Baker) who tested positive for proclivity - and quickly verified her gluten intolerance.
Not the end of story. While it is relatively easy to shop for "gluten free" goods, HolGenTech' barcode-reading cell phone recommends not only against foods containing gluten, but also recommends for foods that are high in iron, Vitamin B and dietary fiber. Why? Since a "gluten-free" diet needs to be supplemented for essentials missed by the skipped foods.
23andMe checks (presently) for 148 genomic conditions. Given the astronomical number of their complex interrelations with ingredients of myrads of foods, cosmetics, chemicals, environments, it just makes sense to use an awesome computer (disguished as a cell phone...) to sort out the often difficult choices.
Consumer product giant PROCTER & GAMBLE already invested in Navigenics' Round C. As shown in "News and Blogs" of HolGenTech, NESTLE also joined the fray - and as Korean DTC genome testing just made this business global, computer industry plunged in as well - the Seoul-based DTC and full DNA analysis institute is backed by SAMSUNG. Their ambition goes way beyond the Korean market; to China and India...
Pellionisz_at_HolGenTech.com
In celebration of National DNA Day, 23andMe put their $499 test on sale for just $99.
Wow, that is really cheap. I’d be very tempted to buy the test.
Fortunately, I’ve already had my DNA tested. In 2008, I paid $999 for 23andMe’s health and ancestry test.
While I was one of the first to try out this commercial DNA service, I certainly haven’t been the last.
At last count, 23andMe has 35,000 customers. Curious people gave their spit, so their DNA could be unraveled and give them more information about their health and about their family.
The results are given to customers through an online profile. By logging into the Facebook-like profile, the customers can see information about their health risks and have access to clues about their ancestry.
But Andrew Pollack from The New York Times points out that the DNA services have been a hard sell:
But the services face an even more fundamental problem: in most cases, the current level of DNA scanning technology and science is unable to offer meaningful predictions about the risk that a person will get a disease.
“It is a really wonderful form of recreation,” said Scott R. Diehl, a geneticist at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. But as for applying it to health care, he said, “It’s very premature.”
Since the last time I logged into my profile, 23andme has made some interesting changes. For $99, you’ll get the following information:
- relative finder. It connects you to your distant cousins.
- maternal line. See my story, 3 Faces of Eve.
- paternal Line. I made my dad take the test.
- ancestry painting. Co-founder Linda Avey told me she likes looking at my ancestry painting because it is evenly split. One chromosome is Asian and the other is European. Usually, the chromosomes have multiple colors throughout — not mine.
- global similarity. Check out the interactive feature I wrote on the history of humans through my DNA.
- health. carrier status. disease risk. drug response. traits. cutting-edge research. If you read, My DNA Diary, you’ll find out way too much information about me (and my DNA). But at least you’ll know what you are getting into if you decide to buy 23andMe’s test today.
But, you’ll have to decide quickly if you want to spend money on a DNA test. The offer is only valid today. And you can’t exactly go on a shopping binge because the company has capped purchases at 10 tests per person.
If you’re still intrigued by DNA testing, then watch me talk 23andMe on Danny Boome’s morning show:
And watch this Big Think special on genetic testing. I was on with Esther Dyson, one of 23andMe’s investors:
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