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The Personal Genome Project Hits the Web
Ian Lamont writes "The Personal Genome Project has released the data sets and descriptions of traits, ethnic background and other information of the first ten volunteers, which include the project director and nine other people with backgrounds in genetics, medicine, and biotechnology. While the human genome was first sequenced at the beginning of this decade, what's special about this project is these 10 participants are having their names, genome, and other personal data gleaned from questionnaires shared openly on the Web, where interested researchers can freely access them. One of the ultimate aims of the project is to create a public database of 100,000 volunteers that researchers and other parties can use to determine what traits, diseases or other characteristics are associated with specific genetic markers. When asked why volunteers are requested to attach their names to the Web records, the project director said the data could be used by researchers in other fields outside of genetics, including forensic science and historical research. While this project opens the door for some interesting and potentially life-saving research, there may also be difficulties or problems for people whose records are posted on the Web. Would you participate? Would you share your name, along with your genome, disease history, and traits? Why or why not?"
Persona GNOME Project...
Previously: "Linux... Toward the Sunrise..." Now: "Linux... Toward the-- No, now, part of Every Sunrise"
Someone should take the available profile info and turn it into a simulation. I would like to see how Participant #2, the vegan who used to suffer from Lyme disease, would fare in a fight against #3, the frequent traveler who suffers from "severe, short-term (24 hours) diarrhea," and is near-sighted with contacts.
Also, I'd like to know, what if we had a breakdancing contest, RIGHT now. Who would come out on top? How would Participant #10, who had a "hip growth" removed at birth, do the Windmill? Etc. Inquiring minds want to know.
Sure, you say that now, but when all your past girlfriends find out that it was YOU who fathered their children, and they all come after you for child support, you will wish you had never been born, and it will be too late.
That could be good or bad. I wouldn't keep getting spam about Male Enhancement, but they would pepper me for online gambling.
Some people are only alive because it's against the law for me to hunt them down and kill them.
I am protected by Lifelock, so my information can't be stolen right?
I have psoriasis - I've already donated tissue to a research tissue bank for that. I have no problems at all putting my history and genetic code out there for any researchers - it can only benefit me and my descendants.
Technically, it could also be used to create a clone army of me. But, we'd be pretty cool and probably not hurt anyone.
Do you have ESP?