Sunday, November 18, 2007

Personal Genomics Begins

The age of personal genomics is now beginning, with the launch of a gene-scanning service by 23andme.com, a company started by the wife of Google founder Sergey Brin. For $1000, they will scan a variety of critical genes from your genome, and allow you to see the results via the web. A rival company in Iceland called DeCode is now also offering a similar service for $15 less.

It's no great bet to recognize this industry will take off dramatically in the years to come, particularly in bloodline-obsessed countries like India. Does anyone remember the movie Gattaca? It's really worth watching, if you haven't already seen it.

(Of course in India, the reaction would be opposite -- it would be people with any favourable genetic advantage who'd have reason to fear persecution by the anti-meritocracy hounds from the Left.)

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