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The surge of data from the Human Genome and HapMap Projects has catalyzed amazing advancements in genetics, something we have witnessed first-hand with the rapid growth of the biotech industry. But now you don’t have to be a doctor or a scientist to tap into the wonderful world of DNA. 23andMe, recently named Time magazine’s Best Invention of 2008, is available to the public.
Named for the 23 pairs of chromosomes found in humans, 23andMe “combines genotyping with a set of tools and features that depict each customer’s personal data within the context of environmental and other factors that contribute to variation in human traits and conditions.”
Translation: spit in a vile, send it to 23andMe, and within weeks you can sign on to the website for access to a complete study of your genotypes; you can trace your DNA back through time, identify the likelihood of inherited physical traits, view estimated predispositions to diseases and conditions, even network with fellow customers from around the world.
The product, and those similar such as Navigenics’ Health Compass are surely just the beginning of a revolutionary age of personal genomics.
The name, at once intriguing and scientific, suits it perfectly.
Contributed by: Maghan Cook