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A DNA Sequencer Cheap Enough For (Some) Doctors' Offices

Posted by timothy on from the soon-next-to-blood-pressure-booth-at-the-store dept.

cylonlover writes "Until recently, DNA decoding machines — fitting in the US$500,000 to $750,000 price range — would take weeks or even months to sequence a human genome, and the whole procedure would cost $5,000 to $10,000. That could be about to change, however, as Life Technologies introduces the Benchtop Ion Proton Sequencer — a machine that may finally deliver the power of genetics into the hands of ordinary doctors thanks to its $149,000 price tag and ability to decode a human genome in one day at a cost of $1,000."

5 of 136 comments (clear)

  1. Unforeseen consequences by bonch · · Score: 5, Funny

    Warning--side effects may occur.

    1. Re:Unforeseen consequences by grantek · · Score: 3, Funny

      This is a completely different machine, it's not the one that TSA agents will use to remotely scan your DNA...

    2. Re:Unforeseen consequences by justforgetme · · Score: 4, Funny

      omg, the days of GATTACA are finally here! Now I'll never fly to mars ${sadface}

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      -- no sig today
  2. Re:How does that compare to X-ray machines? by ColdWetDog · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Ah, I see you have the machine that goes ping. This is my favorite. You see we lease it back from the company we sold it to and that way it comes under the monthly current budget and not the capital account. "

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    Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
  3. Re: Your sig by srussia · · Score: 4, Funny

    I am a biologist. Ask me questions in my journal. I'll give car/computer analogies if possible!

    No need for the invite. This is Slashdot. You had us at "Samantha".

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    Set your phasers on "funky"!