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Google Invests In Genetic Indexing
Bibek Paudel point us to a BusinessWeek report on Google's interest in the cataloging and analyzing of people's DNA. Google has recently invested in DNA screening firms Navigenics and 23andMe, which test customers' DNA for characteristics such as ancestry and predisposition for certain diseases. The customers are then able to give the information to their doctors. This is not Google's first foray into the medical industry.
"Google wants to plant an early stake in a potentially large new market around genetic data. 'We are interested in supporting companies and making investments in companies that [bolster] our mission statement, which is organizing the world's information and making it universally accessible and useful,' Google spokesman Andrew Pederson says. 'We felt it was important to get involved now, at the early stage, to better understand the information generated by this fast-moving field.'"
All your base (pairs) belong to us!
Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
what kinds of adsense relationships they can match to genetic markers.
the mind boggles....
marker for a small penis and low intelligence? show them a camarro
small penis and high intelligence? corvette
every day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
They're stealing a few ideas from the X-Men's Mr. Sinister. By cataloging DNA, they'll be able to find perfect matches and breed super intelligent engineers, ala Scott Summers/Jean Grey turning out Cable.
Iv always wanted to see ad's based on my genetic makeup.
Here's the link:
http://www.wired.com/medtech/genetics/magazine/15-12/ff_genomics
I thought it was interesting then. It's also important to point out, Anne Wojcicki's husband's name is Sergey Brin. Having access to massive amounts of computing power makes sense for a genetics company.
FLR
Do No Anvils
Sorry, I know..
You just got troll'd!
I recently attended a legal studies lecture in which the professor (a lawyer) asserted that if any of us were to participate in such a program and any disease or predisposition for disease were discovered, that we would be legally obligated to make this known to any potential medical insurers the next time we apply for medical insurance. According to this lawyer, failure to disclose in this manner would result in annulment of the insurance should the failure be discovered.
Our Mission:
...for targeted advertising.
"organizing the world's information and making it universally accessible and useful"
conflict of interest.
What if I don't want my medical data to to "universally accessible"?
Oh Crap, I'm an optimist.....
New from Google for 2009 DNA Mashups!
Just login, choose your favorite DNA Samples (or upload your own), and select the chromosone pairs from the samples you wish to combine!
Next choose Preview to see what your new organism will look like! Also, upload a base sample for a comparison chart between the original organism and your new lifeform!
Last but not least our engineers hope to have a special suprise ready by April of 2010. Ordering! We hope to offer both "Retrovirus" for exisiting organism modification, and "Test Tube Compatible" for creating new lifeforms!
Warning: Google claims no responsiblity for lifeforms based on DNA created with the beta.
They are surely the closest to host an awakened AI.
Patents Drive Free Software as Hurricanes Drive Construction Industry
Yup. Bioinformatics is a big field now. I started in biology 10 years ago, but I'm now a very good engineer (who is also often the subject matter expert for our group.)
now you can find out if she snores with a few clicks of a mouse. Find out what she'll look like in 50 years by doing a genetic projection. Better then a background check.
Sorry about the writing. Robot fingers, you know? Cliff Steele in DOOM PATROL #23
Wait, you need science to tell you that fish live better underwater than humans and believe that the Nazi's achieved a peaceful society? Wow.
And it isn't the notion of free will that is under assault, it is the definition of free will. "I'm a product of incredibly complicated information and I am not particularly subject to the information in my immediate surroundings" isn't really all that less satisfying than "I have a soul that exists separate from my body", unless you are very hung up on the "separate from my body" part.
Nerd rage is the funniest rage.
The New England Journal of Medicine actually had an interesting article about direct-to-consumer genetic testing (Jan 10, 2008 -- sorry not a free link (unless you can get it through your institution)). Three main points it makes is that
1. There are questions regarding quality control and transparency. Due to the numbers involved, even small percentage mistakes in sequencing can add up and give wrong information.
2. What is the clinical validity of the sequence such that it can accurately predict the disease? Lack of a sequence may give a false sense of security, and presence of a sequence may cause unnecessary harm.
3. What can you do clinically given the answers? There is little observational or clinical data for how the genetic information can be used effectively, especially for low penetrant conditions.
Clearly, there are disease where knowing ones gene status is very helpful (e.g. BRCA1/2, MEN1/2A/2B, etc...) but many disease we are just in the infancy of determining their genetic basis. The article sums things up like this:
So what advice should a physician offer patients? For the patient who appears with a genome map and printouts of risk estimates in hand, a general statement about the poor sensitivity and positive predictive value of such results is appropriate, but a detailed consumer report may be beyond most physicians' skill sets. For the patient asking whether these services provide information that is useful for disease avoidance, the prudent answer is "Not now -- ask again in a few years." More information is needed on the clinical utility of this information in the light of existing disease-specific opportunities for prevention or early detection and the potential value that genomic profiles can add to that of simpler tools, such as the family health history. Finally, given the risk of commercial exploitation, if patients are determined to proceed, perhaps because they are simply curious, are genetic hobbyists, or are "early adopters" of new technology, it would make sense to encourage them to enroll in formal scientific studies.-- The Genesis project? What's that?
Last time I checked, most liberal secularists openly accept differences. This is where racism ceased to exist in their minds. Let's say we find out that africans, asians, and europeans have differences in genes that we didn't notice before. The only people who will take advantage of those differences are people who are closed-minded, unhappy, are scared of people who look different, and still believe that correct morals were written 2 thousand years ago. I happen to know a few on my father's side of the family. Ignorant little boogers. They can be annoying.
But anyway, the only way people would use genetics as a reason for some genocide are people who simply didn't have a mom when they grew up, or they have ridiculous fears towards people who look different or follow different philosophies in life. Do you have that problem? I assume you do. You directly linked the science of genetics to nazi-thinking. One book that everyone seems to love in the united states is the bible. now that's a book that can teach nazi-thoughts. Like enslaving people from other countries.
Oh well. enough ranting. If you want me to give you a suggestion, I'll say go find your mommy and hug her. You need something decent to replace your hate-logic, maybe that'll do.
What really concerns me about Google and MS getting into the medical data business is that they are NOT covered by the HIPPA law (privacy rules). They can data mine your medical data, should they get it, to their hearts content.
I suggest people in the US contact their Congresscritters about revising HIPPA to cover online web accessible databases.
Let's say we find out that africans, asians, and europeans have differences in genes that we didn't notice before...
and imagine
Let's say we find out that africans, asians, and europeans have differences in genes that we didn't notice before...
every day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The way you're talking about it, complete genetic prediction MUST lead to harmful discrimination, which of course is taken to its extreme with Nazi eugenics. You can have your dim view of humanity if you like, but I'd like to explore the possibility that knowing what genetic diseases someone might have _doesn't_ lead to the end of society. If you will, I'm going to take this away from the idea that all knowledge ABOUT you is knowledge used AGAINST you. Maybe a cut-throat society where everyone is out for themselves, as is encouraged by health insurance would have this problem, but what about the _nice_ idea of society, where the government acts in your interests, there's a genuine sense of cohesion between people, and people generally help people who need it. If the right people know about a genetic weakness, they can help with it. A government that acknowledges that most people have some genetic complaint that will appear later in life, and puts the appropriate resources in would be able to give people the support they need, with preventative treatment, lifestyle advice, etc. In summary, knowledge can be used for good or bad, and the constant fear that it will be used for ill is simply the dim view we hold of humanity. Personally, I'm hoping that, if we get the knowledge and technology that used to be considered 'future society', we'll get the appropriate changes in attitudes to go with it.
This has to be the most awesome thing Google has done. Now, when Google has DNA from both your parents, they'll send you a free email alert in your GMail inbox, a day before you are expected to get a heart attack.
RutSum.com
Google looks all set to become the next evil guy in the tech-world. What if the next "matrix" is built inside the Googleplex? After Google starting to aggree sharing its data with the CIA, the government beginning to index DNA of everyone arrested and now google willing to index the world's genetic information, the BIG BROTHER that George Orwell predicted is now only a matter of time.
one man's constant is another man's variable.
I'm not terribly interested in having my genetic information be "universally accessible and useful".
I'm sure Google will enable one to opt out of this kind of thing, but I'm not sure which chromosome I need to store my robots.txt file in.
Proud member of the Weirdo-American community.
Mr DNA, where did you come from?
Do we allow the entrenched aristocracy to genetically engineer themselves so not only do they have socio-economic advantages, but they also have genetic advantages which further widens the gap between rich and lower class.
I'm not saying that scientific study needs to stop, but the philosophical and moral discussions need to also happen.
Not necessarily. Widescale abortions (whether or not somebody considers that genocide is a different discussion) could deplete those genetic lines which are seen as "unfavorable." Many times this will be done because the parents want "what's best" for their child, sacrificing individuality for conformity on the most fundamental level. Too short, not athletic, autistic, social issues... abort or reengineer those "issues" away.
Even if there are those who will fight the conformist attitude, they will be in the minority and will face significant social implications
It's important the moral debates on genetic profiling & engineering start now, because things could always backfire
D6 63 0D 70 89 81 BB 8E 7B 7C 5F 5D 54 EA AB 73
I read what you wrote, and a thought came to me, and they are my fears.
I wasn't thinking of anything as complex and gentle as the original posters suggested " not breed out "
I was thinking more like a very specific engineered bio-weapon, something based on your comment of
"Let's say we find out that africans, asians, and europeans have differences in genes that we didn't notice before..."
if specific such gene were discovered, that allowed for five 9's of probability that a person was black, how long do you think
it would be before the first supremecist jackass with a little know how would attempt to use that knowledge in a way that would be particularly malevolent.
a few people, call them dedicated, call them focused, call them fanatics-- could make something that would on the surface appear to work
to further their goals.. and they would think it was 'safe enough' to release..
that's my concern...
every day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
Seriously - I do genomics research in cancer. We use a variety of tests that generate reams of information. Most academic institutions develop their own overly complicated and highly specialized tools to look at this data. If Google is venturing into the realm of user accessible genetic information, they must be creating simple UI tools for the masses.
I would love to get in on that aspect of things - either as a consultant or beta-tester. A Google Earth like genome browser is at the top of my wish list.
ARE YOU LISTENING MR BRIN? If so, drop me an e-mail - seriously!
The classifying and storage of all your medical information is already taking place. Read the fine print on most insurance forms you sign. Where it says MIB they aren't taking about the movie.
The Medical Information Bureau is a private company that almost every insurance company reports your medical information to under the guise of (fraud prevention). The maintain records on everyone and then sell that information to their members. Also interesting, they are classified as a âoeconsumer reporting agencyâ according to FACTA. And, according their website, they are required to comply with FCRA, but Its wholly-owned operating subsidiary, MIB Solutions, Inc., MAY be required to comply with FCRA.
Also from their website "Most of MIB's codes signify medical conditions. A very few of these indicate risks involving HAZARDOUS AVOCATIONS or ADVERSE DRIVING RECORDS, etc." (These are currently being used to deny insurance to people.)
"MIB's Security Alert Services is a compliance solution designed to assist insurance and FINANCIAL SERVICES companies in fulfilling their legal obligations under the USA PATRIOT Act - U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and Canada's Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI)" (OFAC, OSFI, PATRIOT Act!!!!)
For those who think they have some protection under HIPAA. HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, has been publicized as helping to protect your privacy by instituting huge penalties for disclose of medical information. It's a joke. Its definitions of when disclosure of your information are so general that almost anything can be allowed. For 10+ years I was a professional preventer of natural selection. As far as privacy is concerned, there is no HIPAA.
I don't thing Google will add a feature to street view that shows that the resident has CF or Sickle Cell. I do however think that once the information is in a form where these links could be made, they will be.
Last time I checked, most liberal secularists openly accept differences.
No they don't. They are just as fanatical about their ideals as people on the opposite side of the idealogical divide. Besides, the thing is, the people most likely to commit genocide are those who think they are incapable of wrong.
Let's say we find out that africans, asians, and europeans have differences in genes that we didn't notice before.
That's not what I'm talking about. I'm saying, what if we find that people with some gene, call it, for example, T-1742 ABC, are 10% more likely to be murderers. If you did the math, and the social cost of murder, you might be able to make the economic case that you should ethnically cleanse your society of them (of course, through deportations... but if no one wanted them... then, well, there's other solutions).
Of course, it doesn't even have to be that evil. I mean, we could make the serious argument that why should people without cancer genes pay for cancer treatments in people who have them?
I'm not talking about racism along existing racial lines... I'm talking about a new kind of racism, based on genetic analysis. Or, it could even be a national health care plan allocating less resources to those with weaker genes. It could be men or women administering genetic tests to partners and screening each other or unborn children for genetic problems. Really, the sky is the limit.
Of course, if such things happened to take place along fault lines that coincided with today's racial labels, that's one thing. And we haven't even gotten to the parts about using cloned human skin to make human skin coats...
This is my sig.
Would my entire genetic code be considered Intellectual Property, and if so, can I get a patent? Hmmm... maybe my parents would get me the birthday gift that keeps giving (legal entertainment), the patent for my genes. w00t!
This useless space for sale, inquire at front desk.
where the government acts in your interests,
LOL.
A government that acknowledges that most people have some genetic complaint that will appear later in life, and puts the appropriate resources in would be able to give people the support they need, with preventative treatment, lifestyle advice, etc.
I would be more willing to bet that the government is the last place you would want to have accumulating genetic data.
n summary, knowledge can be used for good or bad, and the constant fear that it will be used for ill is simply the dim view we hold of humanity.
Some knowledge is worse than others. What does the knowledge of making an atomic bomb do that is positive?
Personally, I'm hoping that, if we get the knowledge and technology that used to be considered 'future society', we'll get the appropriate changes in attitudes to go with it.
It can't happen, because, at the end of the day, people with bad genes aren't as good, and never will be. That's the thing. Once people learn something or someone isn't as good, that's just it, the floodgates open and they move on.
This is my sig.
Wow...who knew that /. trolls knew the IUPAC ambiguity codes for any base. That, or else /. really needs a new DNA sequencer...
Oh won't that be delightful? Tapping away one day and suddenly you see...
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