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Direct-To-Consumer Genetics Testing Makes a Splash In Boston

Posted by timothy on from the what's-under-my-shell? dept.

eldavojohn writes "MIT's Technology Review has the scoop on the first annual Consumer Genetics Show starting today in Boston and it looks like the rage these days is genetic testing sans the middle-man physician. And it's getting more prevalent and more available: 'A number of companies offering direct-to-consumer genetic testing have cropped up in the past two years to capitalize on these advances, from 23andMe and Navigenics, which offer genome-wide scans to identify specific disease-linked genetic variations, to Knome, which offers whole-genome sequencing to the wealthy. Any doubts that personal genomics is making its way into the mainstream can be assuaged with a look at Interleukin genetics, a startup that sells genetic tests for heart-disease risk, B vitamin metabolism, and other factors through Amway, the direct-sales company.' Over-the-counter genetic tests may be much closer than you think. The article raises concerns that this information will be misused/misinterpreted or even provide a false sense of security. We've discussed some states prohibiting this last year."

5 of 78 comments (clear)

  1. Knome by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    It about damn time KDE get it network object model environement...

    1. Re:Knome by SEWilco · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yeah, but I use Gnome. Its genetic sequencing has an awful user interface.

  2. All downhill from here by gbarules2999 · · Score: 3, Funny

    One of the more popular brands, called "plasmids," are bound to become mainstream, and, well, we have Bioshock to explain what happens after that.

    Get everybody burning those Ayn Rand books, on the double!

  3. Re:Disaster waiting to happen by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    You are suffering from short-term thinking. Sure you've been misdiagnosed with having a pathological allele ... but think of the satisfaction and financial freedom that comes with working from home doing something you love all while earning up to fifteen thousand dollars per week.

  4. are you calling programmers asocial psychopaths? by circletimessquare · · Score: 2, Funny

    are you fucking calling programmers asocial psychopaths?

    are you fucking sure you want to call programmers asocial psychopaths?

    I SAID ARE YOU FUCKING SURE THIS IS THE WAY YOU WANT TO PLAY THIS?

    are you fucking listening to me?

    ARE YOU FUCKING LISTENING TO ME?

    --
    intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it