Firm announces full human genome sequencing for $1,000

[phantom power]

That's a price feasible for an individual to afford having their entire genome sequenced.

One manufacturer of genome sequencers appears to have broken a critical cost barrier, however. Illumina, Inc. announced earlier this week that its HiSeq X Ten sequencing platform can produce a complete human genome for under $1000.

...

Scientists began talking about the goal of a $1000 genome in 2001. Genomics pioneer Craig Venter began a genomics conference in Boston in 2002 by discussing the $1,000 genome as the point at which personalized medicine really becomes possible, then staked a $500,000 science prize for automated DNA sequencing technology at $1000 a pop. Notably, the first human genome to be sequenced cost about $3 billion, 11 years ago.

At $1000, it is conceivable that some insurance firms — all of which are barred by federal law from discriminating against customers on the basis of genetic information — may begin considering coverage of genome sequencing as a way to reduce medical costs, because the availability of genomic data could conceivably reduce other diagnostic testing costs for hard-to-find diseases. Other clients may elect to pay out of pocket.

The lower price point changes the constraints on real research into drug interactions based on genetic profile, allergy sensitivities and genetic disorders. Instead of the cost of the sequencing itself being a constraint, the cost of crunching and storing the genetic data itself becomes an issue.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/01/18/firm-announces-full-human-genome-sequencing-for-1000-a-long-sought-threshold/

[hunter]

1. Cool. Okay, here's how it works at The Eternal Life Corporation (TELC).

We implant a camera and microphone in your forehead, record everything you do 24/7, record everything you write throughout your life, get your DNA sequence, and then, when you die, have it all locked up for safekeeping.

Then someday it will be possible to create a fully functional recreation of you!

Seems a better bet than freezing yourself in liquid nitrogen, right???

Call for deluxe encrypted "Private" package prices, but no worries if you can't afford them, there are also many TELC "Free" services provided by Google, Facebook, the NSA, The Latter Day Saints and many others... you can choose the TELC provider you feel most secure with!

[phantom power]

2. If I'm going to pony up that much, I'd prefer not to settle for my own genome.

If you've never seen a code repository that's been hacked on by humans for just 10 years, it's a thing of horror that would make parents tell children to hide their eyes. Just imagine the hackery hiding in a bunch of software hacked on by evolution for 3 billion years. I want a refactor.