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Gene code mapping ‘for all babies within 10 years’
Mark Prigg09.02.09
Every baby could have its genetic code mapped out at birth within 10 years, a process which will predict conditions such as diabetes and heart disease and help prevent them.
Jay Flatley, head of leading genome company Illumina, predicted a revolution in healthcare after the complete DNA read-out for every newborn becomes a technical reality. He said only social and legal issues would delay the process.
But with many people reluctant to have their genome read for fear it could be used against them by employers or insurance companies, the process is expected to raise difficult questions over privacy. The plummeting cost of technology has made genome screening for all patients a real prospect. Some services are already available to customers for around £700 with the whole genome mapping-out process costing £70,000.
Illumina, based in San Diego, is looking to launch its own cheaper whole-genome service within two years and is already seeking its first customers who are likely to pay between £7,000 to £14,000. Dr Flatley said: “The limitations are sociological; when and where people think it can be applied, the concerns people have about misinformation and the background ethics questions.
“I think those are actually going to be the limits that push it out to a 10-year time frame.”
Reader views (4)
Oh well, here we go again with government taking a cut of what goes on that data base. Just provides another security risk. Time for such facilities to be kept on stand alone machines and under lock and key.
Fair enough one can't disagree with any useful health developments but its the question of how its put together and done!
- Tony Islander, Herts
Kev, you are right but lets not forget that a lot of pain and suffering have also been brought to us by science and engineering.
Not that we should stand in the way of progress but progress for progress's sake should be tempered.
I am sure that measures will be taken to ensure employers cannot use such tests as a basis for employment.
I am also sure that it will be completely impossible to ensure those measures are adhered to.
It's not just employent - what about life insurance? Probably many, many other implications no-one has even thought of yet...
Meh - it's going to happen anyway, nothing we can do to stop it - just didn't expect it in my life time.
scary
- Tc, London, UK
Neil m. God never helped any body.Al the benefits to the human race have been brought to us by science and engineering.
- Kev, London-UK
God help us all.
- Neil M., london uk,
