Social Machinery

DNA sequencing technology could help us detect genetic predispositions to illnesses and customize treatments accordingly. Today we are just in the midst of a genetic revolution where DNA sequencing is mainly used to either do long read of hundreds of bases on genomes that have yet to be sequenced, or shorter reads that only align with a genome we have already sequenced.

The Human Genome Project, which officially completed the mind-boggling achievement of sequencing human’s genome in 2006 at price tag of 4 Billion USD. Because of the exponential advances in this field, after four years Complete Genomics Company has sequenced three human genomes for just $4.400 USD with a very low error rate.

At this rate of advancement the technology for whole-genome sequencing could be affordable and accurate enough to perform on every newborn with a simple heel-prick blood test in a matter of years. Genetics testing could cost just $100 USD per person according to IBM Research, Ilumina, 454 Life Sciences and others.

Even do bad things can be done using genetics technology like employers or insurance companies discriminating people based on potential predisposition to certain diseases or behaviors I believe that the upside is much stronger than privacy concerns. To some extend all our secrets carried in our DNA will be unlock beyond our control

That is why some countries are already taking actions about it. The US Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act took effect last Saturday and it will make illegal for employers to use genetic test results to make decisions about their employees, or even to gather genetic information on people. That includes family histories of heart trouble, stroke, and other intrusive questions about people’s ancestors and relatives.

But what happens in the future, when by just a simple blood sample you could determine genetics advantage of people for certain activities like Music, sports, business, etc. Even more interesting would be the case of people who can afford artificial genes enhancement. Today, Scientists can genetically manipulate a rat embryo by adding genes to make it more “smarter” than normal. That gene codes for a protein involved in the kind of communication in brain cells that’s associated with learning and memory. As a result they developed a rat that’s much better than normal at learning things and remembering them.

You can imagine the impact of this type of Genetic manipulating in the case of Alzheimer disease, but it will also make possible for people to genetically improve their brain cognitive power. What will be the future of our society?

23andMe: A glimpse of future DNA social network

23andMe is a new kind of Research Company.  It was founded to empower individuals to develop new ways of accelerating research into genetics. For less than 1000 USD you can read your DNA and get a highly accurate reading on predisposition to certain diseases and also genetic capabilities to certain activities. Even do your data is interpreted and stored by 23andme, you can share and compare it with other members. Basically, creating communities around existing common interest and affinities based on your DNA.

For sure this is the midst of a new business:  Companies that will take a sample of your DNA, scan it, and tell you about your genetic future, as well as your ancestral past. The advent of retail genomics will make this a commonplace. We will move to a more personalized medicine. We will not live according to our past experiences but according to what our own specific genetic risks predispose us toward.

This new age of genomics comes with great opportunity but gives us a lot to think about it. In on hand our life could be predicted from a very early age based on our genomes; our childrens that are predisposed to certain skills or talents therefore might be encourage to pursue certain paths or being left aside because certain genes.