New Genetics and Health Poll: How much for your DNA sequence?
Nicholas Wade of the New York Times wrote last week about the $1,000 human genome (better go read it quick before the NYT puts it behind paid access no need to worry with the trick I learned from Charles). So it got me to wondering how much people would be willing to pay to have their entire DNA sequenced.
My thinking on this might be a little counterintuitive. At this point in time, our understanding of the impact specific genes have on our overall health is somewhat limited. We know that certain genes increase our risk of cancer, like BRCA or HNPCC, and that other genes might affect how we metabolize certain drugs. But beyond that, the majority of our DNA sequence doesn’t really tell us much yet. So I figure knowing our genomic sequence isn’t worth much now and prices (if it weren’t limited by technology) would be depressed.
As our knowledge grows about the increase in disease risk associated with specific DNA markers or genetic variants, the value of knowing our DNA sequence will go up so that people would theoretically be willing to pay more for that data because it would be more meaningful. (I’m starting to think those econ classes weren’t in vain!) Even if the technology advances to a point at which whole human genome sequencing can be done for less than $1,000, biotech companies will be able to charge more than that because of the demand. Prices won’t drop until DNA sequencing is as commonplace and simple to conduct as the average lab test for cholesterol.
What do you think? How much would you be willing to pay for your entire DNA sequence? Take the poll in the sidebar to your right!
NB: I’ll reveal the results of the previous poll on preimplantation genetic diagnosis tomorrow when the part 7 of Rica Lode’s story is published.
Update: DNA Direct Talk has a round-up of blogs discussing the $1000 human genome.
Pointer from the new Genes & Drugs Blog
Technorati Tags: nicholas wade, human genome, genome, dna sequencing, genetics, genes, dna, disease, illness, health, polls
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