TalkdeCODEme: First “Genetic Scan” Launches
Holy stealth mode, Batman! While everyone’s been buzzing about Navigenics and 23andMe — how they will be offering the first genome-wide array tests soon, what will they offer, how will people react to such information — that pioneering Icelanding genetics company, deCODE, just grabbed the spotlight (again).
Today deCODE unveiled deCODEme, the first consumer service for genome-wide testing. And it looks an awful lot like what we’ve been expecting from 23andMe and Navigenics. Here’s a smattering of what people have to say about it:
I think Nicholas Wade’s phrase “sample the whole genome” is misleading, but I’ll pass on this perspective:
The significance of most variation in the human genome is presently unknown. Most of the SNPs studied so far have been identified in the course of searching for the genetic roots of common diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Because the diseases are common, many people possess the underlying SNPs. So any interpretation of a person’s genome is at present heavily skewed toward generating ominous news. …
There are undoubtedly genes that promote longevity and good health but far fewer of these have yet been spotted. And environmental factors, too, can affect whether certain genes are ever activated.
The WSJ Health Blog asks,
“Would you be willing to pay almost a grand to know what your genes say about your health and ancestry? Would you swap the info with friends and relatives?”
As of this afternoon, the one and only respondent is negative:
“The way they are selling this makes it look like a snake oil scam which considering the potential genetic testing has to actually do good is a real shame.”
A gal on the street says:
It’s an amazing advantage, obviously, to be able to map your own genome. Since healthcare costs are rising, I think it’s great that this information can give us an advantage to conduct preventative treatments and give us power over our own lives instead of waiting until we find out we might be sick. So I like that aspect. Especially for people who don’t know who their parents are or their family’s health history. (Although, I think their incentive of comparing your genetic profile with friends is a little too Genome-MySpace for my taste.)
I guess I try and live my life with the health conscious knowledge that’s already out there without having to sequence my genome… Don’t smoke, eat your greens, get a lot of rest, exercise… But maybe I’ll add this to my Christmas list.
And my favorite, from a nonscientific friend of a friend:
“It also seemed like a good value for all that you’re getting. One thing that was not clear is that they made a few references to how the website/service will continue to improve but does that mean that early adopters also get to reap the benefits of these improvements (aka is it a one time membership fee, etc)? Also, as you can see, the website had a very palpable other-worldly (Scandavian?) feel to it and the main PhD MD narrator seemed very mystical and reminded me of the Lord of the Rings guy. Other than that, I assume that the target market might be wealthy people that frolic around in steam baths all day, and that’s cool, wish I was there. Clearly it’s a step up from the Vegas pool.”
What I want to know: How will deCODE get away with saying “This is not medical information and should not be used as such” when a large portion of their test results are genetic markers for health risks and their service provides information on risk assessment? And, isn’t anyone going to react to touting this as “a genetic scan”? A year or two ago, such a phrase would have been unthinkable. But perhaps now, it’s hip?
Jason and others, I want to hear what people who are focused on actual genes, and -omes, and gene sequencing have to say about this. Speak up!
Technorati Tags: decode me, decode genetics, genetic scan, genome wide array, navigenics, 23andme
November 16th, 2007 at 11:24 pm
Lisa, I think these new genome scan/sequencing emerging companies/services could seriously reduce clients for single gene tests, which companies like DNAdirect are offering. What do you think?
November 26th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
Hi ramunas, I actually think quite the opposite. The press that these new companies are receiving is increasing people’s general awareness of genetics, risk and health. Many people may not be interested in these SNP scans, but the awareness might drive them to more significant risk issues that they are worried about — such as a cancer risk, or blood clotting risk, that’s based on personal and family history.
Also, these new companies have explicitly stated that their test results are not meant to be used as medical information. People who want to do so may need follow-on testing — to confirm a risk, to provide screening, to provide diagnosis, etc. For these people, clinical consulting services that can explaining someone’s genotype in context of their personal history, family medical history, and lifestyle and environmental factors will be what makes all this testing useful and not just noise. That’s where companies like DNA Direct come in.