Science Article Summary #4

Anderson, M. “Genome as a Commodity: In a few years, millions will have purchased their own genome.” Spectrum.ieee.org. February 2010. [Internet]. [accessed Feb 4 2010] Available from:
http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/biomedical/diagnostics/genone-as-commodity

In a few years, millions will have purchased their own genome

According to Mark Anderson, in a few years, it may be within our financial reach to purchase our entire genome in a single 1.5 gigabyte data file. He speculates that the price of the very first genome cost the US $3 billion, but that a decrease in cost over the next four years would be 1/1000 of the current price.

Apparently, purchasing one’s genome is already within the reach of some. The going price at Krome, a company in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is $68,500. A San Diego-based company, Illumina charges $48,000, and includes in the purchase price a new MacBook or iMac! According to Illumina’s president, Jay Flatley, within two years, we will be able to purchase our own genome for a mere $5000 - $10,000, and just $1000 five years down the road. Sales are modest, with just 28 human genomes sequenced in the past year, but Flatley expects these numbers to be in the thousands by 2011. Another company in Mountain View, CA, Genomics, charges $5000 per genome, but sells only in bulk amounts of 1000+.

Because of the high price, and given the fact that the medical information obtained from one’s genome is actually minimal, for now, only the wealthy can afford the cost of this luxury. Once the price comes down, it is expected that the demand will rise greatly. In some cases, those who volunteer for genome research (Personal Genome Project) may be able to obtain this valuable information at no cost. At least 15,000 people have already signed up!