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Personal Health: My Genome

To better understand the make up for the human species, scientists have been looking deeper into our DNA since 1990. There are approximately 20,000 to 30,000 genes in human DNA. The human genome contains about 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA. Amazingly enough, 99.9% of the base pairs are exactly the same in all humans. The remaining 0.1% makes us who we are and how we differ from the rest of the world.

Started in 1990, the Human Genome Project was an early effort dedicated to mapping and sequencing the human genome. The time and money spent to complete a whole sequence of DNA were many years and billions of dollars.

The technology has advanced significantly since then.  For the first time in history, individuals can gain access to their personal genome information through different companies. Now, DNA sequencing can be turned around in months. Depending on how complete of an analysis you want, you can take a look at your genome by paying a fee.

Here are a few options mentioned by Kevin Davies, Editor in Chief of Bio-IT World, at the HBSAB event: “The $1000 Genome: How Routine DNA Sequencing Will Reshape Medicine”:

• 23andMe – $399; analysis is based on genotyping; output: 110 clinical and research reports
• deCodeMe – Complete scan for $985, analysis of 38 conditions. Cardio scan for $195 which covers heart attack and atria fibrillation. Cancer scan for $225 which covers 7 cancers.
• Navagentics – Health Compass for $2,499 which covers 23 health areas. Annual Insight for $499 that includes analysis on 10 common health conditions.
• Knome – $150,000, high-touch service that sequence the whole DNA

If you are willing to “donate” your genome, you can participate in the  Personal Genome Project which will analyze human DNA for free. The data will be published and help with on-going medical studies.

Personally, I have not yet decided to get my DNA genotyped or sequenced yet. I am not sure my primary care physician is ready for the amount of data and the type of data that I would get. I am not sure I am ready to know about my health risks. However, I understand the benefit of preventative health measures and I have been told that learning more about myself – what health risks I have – may lead to life changing decisions – devoting more effort to discovering the cure for MS, for example.

I am excited about what’s possible. I hope to continue learning about this space and look forward to this being even more accessible and mature.

Tags: Genome

Mindy is a project manager at Medullan, with experience in managing both software development and product deployment. Currently, she is focusing on providing valuable business solutions to health care and life sciences organizations in the U.S.