What does mega-search engine Google and mega-genome services company 23andMe have in common?
Two actually, and maybe more…
First – investments and second, spouses.
This week, Google invested $2.6 million in 23andMe on top of the $7 million invested so far. No surprise there, since Google’s co-founder Sergey Bring is the spouse of 23andMe’s co-founder Anne Wojcicki. But as CNN remarked, it’s one the perks of marrying Google.
 
In another news, biotech giant Illumina has launched a personal genome sequencing service. That is, you can have your entire genome sequenced – all 3 billion DNA – for a hefty …read more

  Now that accessing your genetic information is cheaper than buying a Google Smartphone, now what? What can you get from it? How can you use it? Just as important, but less asked – how do you protect it?
The journal "Nature" joins the debate with a full online issue devoted to the personal genome revolution and its implications. For a fee or for free, you can squeeze more information out of the SNP data or full sequence you got from the commercial genome services you paid for initially. For example, you can get an idea of your risk for …read more

G&H’s INTERVIEW WITH NAVIGENICS
Navigenics approached Genetics and Health for an interview. With so much written about similar genomics companies such as 23andme, Knome, deCODE genetics, I was intrigued to learn more about this company.  In particular, Navigenics appears to be the only company within this industry genre who provides a comprehensive wellness model – a healthcare model that Opaldia, the genetic screening and health surveillance company I founded, endorsed whole-heartedly. 
I interviewed Navigenics’ Medical Director Dr Michael A Nierenberg MD, clinical professor of medicine, emeritus at Stanford University to find out what makes Navigenics stand out amongst its competition.  He was …read more

Concluding G&H’s exclusive interview with Navigenics’ Medical Director Dr Michael Nierenberg, we explore the challenges faced by Navigenics to integrate its genomic services into mainstream medicine … 

When founding my old company Opaldia, probably the single most challenging aspect of early adoption of genetic testing was physician barriers.  Mostly this was borne out of a genuine lack of understanding about the field of genetics but also concerns that testing was too much in its infancy and tests had not been subject to rigorous clinical evaluation.  Time and again the phrase ‘not undergone prospective trials’ was used as a defense against bringing genetic testing into …read more

Continuing G&H’s exclusive interview with Navigenics’ Medical Director Dr Michael Nierenberg, we explore the whole issue of privacy, insurance, GINA and ethics…..
One of the main consumer concerns is that of privacy of information, both in terms that a genetic test has been undertaken but also that the results of the test are kept private and out of the public domain.  At the time of writing, the controversial GINA (Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act) is being passed by the US Senate which will enable genetic testing information to be kept private and not be used to discriminate against an individual, particularly by the insurance industry.  …read more

In this fifth article in the series of articles originating from G&H’s exclusive interview with Navigenics’ Medical Director, Dr Michael Nierenberg, we explore the contentious issue of whole genomic testing.
Navigenics uses Affymetrix’s gene chip which is able to test around 1 million genetic markers.  However Navigenics has initially focused on 18 specific, treatable diseases which form the foundation of its designated SNP panel.  This panel will expand over time.   
I asked the question of what happened to a member’s DNA – whether it was disposed of or stored.  Dr Nierenberg explained that a member’s DNA was stored in anticipation of future …read more

In this fourth in the series of articles originating from G&H’s exlusive interview with Navigenics’ Medical Director Dr Michael Nierenberg, we look at the whole issue of low penetrance versus high penetrance gene testing. 
SNPs are known as ‘low penetrance genes’ where it will only sometimes produce the symptom or trait with which it has been associated at a detectable level. In this case of low penetrance it is difficult to distinguish environmental from genetic factors.   
Whereas ‘high penetrance genes’ such as the breast cancer genes BRCA 1 and 2 are those where the trait will almost always be shown by the individual …read more

In this third article originating from G&H’s exclusive interview with Navigenics’ Medical Director, Dr Michael Nierenberg, we explore the whole issue of SNP testing and how SNPs can be used in disease risk assessment.
Navigenics has focused on around 100 of the most definitive research papers on SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) that have been most strongly associated with 18 particular diseases such as breast cancer, type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease.  The company has built an algorithm (mathematical computer program) that estimates the risk of a healthy person developing a disease if their genome has the relevant SNP. 
The company has spent immense time …read more

This second article originating from G&H’s exclusive interview with Navigenics’ Medical Director Dr Michael Nierenberg takes a look at the service you will receive if you subscribe to Navigenics’ genomic wellness service.
The Navigenics service 
When you sign up to the Navigenics service you effectively enrol as a member and not as a patient or customer.   For US$2,500 you subscribe to an annual package which includes a genomic scan to identify your lifetime risk (compared to an average American male or female) of developing 18 core, treatable diseases such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s and type II diabetes.  Included in the package is on-line …read more

This is the first article originating from G&H’s exclusive interview with Navigenics’ Medical Director Dr Michael Nierenberg.  We take a look at the company and who is behind Navigenics.
The much anticipated launch! 
April 8th, 2008 Navigenics Inc launches its genomics service In New York. 
It has branded its service as “Navigenics Health Compass”.  
In its launch literature the company writes: “Navigenics aims to transform medicine from a ‘sick care’ model of ‘wait and see’ to the emergence of early risk detection.  It aims to empower individuals with opportunity and knowledge and to take preventative steps and a hands on approach to their family’s health …read more