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$999 For a Complete DNA Scan, Worth it?

DoroSurfer writes "ZDNet is reporting that 23andme.com will open its doors on Monday, allowing you to send them a cheek swab and have your DNA analyzed for $999 (plus shipping, of course... ;)). So what's a thousand bucks buy you? They can tell you your ancient ancestry, They can tell you what diseases you're predisposed to, They give you a "Gene Explorer" that allows you to do a search in your genome to find out if you have a certain gene (e.g., you just heard on the news that Gene XYZ has been linked to Alzheimer's Disease)."

5 of 451 comments (clear)

  1. No! by CrazyTalk · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I would give them $999 to NOT do a DNA scan of me. Do I want to know if x years from now I'm likely to come down with Parkinsons Disease? Not really, I'd rather just live my life than worry about the future.

  2. Re:I'll wait for the Chinese version by lixee · · Score: 1, Redundant

    All your gene are belong to us.

    --
    Res publica non dominetur
  3. Your DNA and Privacy by module0000 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    How long until government(i.e. USA) orders them to hand over the DNA of Citizen X, a suspect in a crime, so they can match it against suspect DNA from a crime scene?

    This basically provides governments with a large bank of DNA they can strong-arm their way into whenever they feel the need, regardless of whatever "privacy statement" the company itself claims to adhere to.

    If privacy and your DNA being mapped are important, consider a private laboratory.
    *adjusts tinfoil hat*

    --
    Trackball users will be first against the wall.
  4. Sounds like a great database... by swb311 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    that they'll put together and the feds can subpoena.

  5. Re:Blatant Misuse of the English Language by Myopic · · Score: 1, Redundant

    Many people have discussed that song. In my conversations with friends, we have decided that most of the examples of irony given in the song are not ironic, although some are mildly ironic. Our conclusion, though, was that a song about irony with lyrics giving wrong examples of irony *is* ironic, *because* the lyrical examples *aren't* ironic. So, it's ironic because it's not ironic. Alanis is either a grammatic genius or... well, or not.