Personal genome sequencing

[southside grabowski]

In an act signaling the start of the race to make personalized medicine a reality, the Nobel Prize-winning scientist who co-discovered DNA's structure (James Watson) has become the first person to have his genetic blueprint sequenced and made public.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4853118.html


Using streamlined 454 sequencing technology, the genome of Dr James Watson has been sequences in only a few months time. The original human genome-sequencing project took many years and a lot more money. We are entering a new era in genomic medicine where it will not be uncommon for an individual to have his or her genome sequenced. The benefits are many: knowledge of genetic predispositions, genetic guidance to preventive care and disease treatment and the compilation of much more data for researchers studying the genetics of disease.

This direction is not without ethical concerns including: the ability of non-scientists to understand enough genetics to grant informed consent, guidelines for sharing and withholding information from subjects and for keeping the information confidential to avoid discrimination by employers, insurance companies and others.

This is still not practically available to you and I, but it is coming. Personalized genome sequencing will be a major component of medicine in the near future. What do you thing? Do you want your sequence?

[hardeeharhar]

it was inevitable. I would want my genome sequenced, yes.

the problem is that medicine isn't in most cases able to use sequence data for any practical application. in fact, by comparison most medical diagnoses and treatments are neolithic. most diseases aren't the result of one gene or genetic cluster. it will take at least another generation of excellent and unencumbered science to truly be able to model the likely diseases states of a person with a previously unknown genome.

[southside grabowski]

Yes HHH, but by sequencing more full genomes we will begin to generate the kinds of data sets needed to understand the genetic environments prone to disease, Indeed, much disease results from rearrangements (deletions, inversions, duplications, expansions and so on). More (many more) full genomes, along with solid diagnosis in the clinic, (the clinker in my opinion) will be very informative.

[franksargent]

I guess we made God in our own image, in the future we will be able to make ourselves in our own image!

Talk about profiling and paradoxes! :rolleyes:

But I think it will take a tremendous database of DNA sequences, perhaps into the millions, before most genetic "disorders" are confidently codified.

Scary stuff, if we don't tread softly.

[southside grabowski]

When talking about the potential for discrimination, Watson made a comment something like this,” I don't think it will cause discrimination, but it might explain some of it". Not sure what to make of that Then again I am seldom sure what to make of much of what he says (this will make sense to those who have heard him speak))

[franksargent]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/DNA_sequence.png

:D

[Flounder]

Some additional information, as this has quite a bit to do with X Prize.

http://www.thegeneticgenealogist.com/2007/05/22/you-and-the-1000-genome-part-i-the-archon-x-prize-for-genomics/

I'd guess we're 5 to 10 years form the $1000 dollar genome.

Like hardeeharhar said, there's a tremendous amount of epidemiologic and basic science research to be done. Eventually personalized medicine will be upon us, but it will be some time as things advance slowly along.

I can't remember right now, but I feel like someone important once said something along the lines that advances like theese are always overhyped in the short term, and unerestimated in the long term.

[southside grabowski]

Some additional information, as this has quite a bit to do with X Prize.

http://www.thegeneticgenealogist.com/2007/05/22/you-and-the-1000-genome-part-i-the-archon-x-prize-for-genomics/

I'd guess we're 5 to 10 years form the $1000 dollar genome.

Like hardeeharhar said, there's a tremendous amount of epidemiologic and basic science research to be done. Eventually personalized medicine will be upon us, but it will be some time as things advance slowly along.

I can't remember right now, but I feel like someone important once said something along the lines that advances like theese are always overhyped in the short term, and unerestimated in the long term.

Indeed. I do think that getting information on multiple whole (near whole) genomes will be very powerful. Sequencing genes is not enough. We need the stuff in between, much of which is transcribed.

[hardeeharhar]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/DNA_sequence.png

:D
I like indeed...

That should be made into a t-shirt.

[addabox]

And once again, not-gratingly-reductionist-Southside overpowers gratingly-reductionist-Southside, ties him up, and seizes control of the computer. The epic battle continues.

[southside grabowski]

:lol:

[Jubelum]

... we can finally prove that Bush is one of the Babylonian Brotherhood (http://groups.msn.com/illuminatiuncovered/thebabylonianbrotherhood.msnw). He's a reptile (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Icke), you see.

[iPoster]

So, how long until the Genetic Discrimination Laws are on the books?

;)

Oops, too late!! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_Information_Nondiscrimination_Act)

[southside grabowski]

So, how long until the Genetic Discrimination Laws are on the books?

;)

Oops, too late!! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_Information_Nondiscrimination_Act)

Yes, it is in progress

[audiopollution]

144

One for the photo album.

[@_@ Artman]

... we can finally prove that Bush is one of the Babylonian Brotherhood (http://groups.msn.com/illuminatiuncovered/thebabylonianbrotherhood.msnw). He's a reptile (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Icke), you see.

I for one welcome the Reptilian Overlords...

http://www.movieprop.com/V/d36.jpg

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/pigasuspress/photos/sybildanning3.jpg

:wow:

[iPoster]

Edit: Missed the V reference!!

:mad:

[addabox]

144

One for the photo album.

Interesting. So it's not-gratingly-reductionist Southside that is the anti-christ. Shrewd.