The Quest for the $1,000 Human Genome

NY Terrorist Tip Sheet ^ | July 18, 2006 | NICHOLAS WADE

[neverdem]

As part of an intensive effort to develop a new generation of machines that will sequence DNA at a vastly reduced cost, scientists are decoding a new human genome — that of James D. Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA and the first director of the National Institutes of Health’s human genome project.

Decoding a person’s genome is at present far too costly to be a feasible medical procedure. But the goal now being pursued by the N.I.H. and by several manufacturers, including the company decoding Dr. Watson’s DNA, is to drive the costs of decoding a human genome down to as little as $1,000. At that price, it could be worth decoding people’s genomes in certain medical situations and, one day, even routinely at birth.

Low-cost decoding may bring the genomic age to the doctor’s office, but it will also raise quandaries about how to safeguard and interpret such a wealth of delicate and far-reaching personal information.

The first human genome decoding, completed by a public consortium of universities in 2003, cost more than $500 million. With the same technology, dependent on DNA sequencing machines made by Applied Biosystems, a human genome could probably now be decoded for $10 million to $15 million, experts say.

Much greater efficiency is expected from the new generation of DNA sequencing machines, based on different, highly miniaturized technologies. One machine, made by 454 Life Sciences, has been on the market since March 2005. Another, made by Solexa, will start shipping this summer. Applied Biosystems will start marketing its own next-generation machine next year.

Last month, at a training course organized by the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on Long Island, researchers were learning how to use the DNA decoding machines made by 454 Life Sciences. Looking like a hybrid between a...

[neverdem]

[martin_fierro]

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[grey_whiskers]

Pardon my french, but...

Holy Sh*t, Batman!

That's impressive.

Cheers!

[neverdem]

IBM Discovery Could Shed New Light on Workings of the Human Genome thread links PNAS article

Baby teeth might be source of stem cells

Neurologist: Boy still in coma, but 'definitely improved' (using cutting-edge treatments & vitamins)

FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.

[LibertarianInExile]

[Dubh_Ghlase]

I saw Gattaca as a sign of things to come years ago, and just purchased the DVD for reference. One other find that scares the bejeebers out of me is that they found a gene that apparently controls lifespan. By manipulating this gene in mice, they were able to increase the lifespan of the mice 3-fold. My fear is that this is being pushed by the "overlords" (people like Soros, Hitlery, Uncle Ted, etc.) for their own personal use and treatment. I have nightmares about this...

Call me crazy, call me wacky. But having seen science fiction become science fact in 30 years gives me reason to be alarmed, considering who controls it...

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

This may, or may not be good news. This creates the impression that anyone less than perfect (whatever that is) is undesirable. This brings huge ethical considerations.

My sister's family has Huntington's Disease. This can be viewed as good news in that perhaps they can turn off the HD gene. But what about those born with HD? Perhaps they should be aborted? We do not violate God's laws without severe consequenced.

[Dubh_Ghlase]

Agreed. The power that comes with this knowledge is almost godlike. It's the power of life & death. Put that power in the hands of a few, and (considering the nature of man) watch that power corrupt absolutely. A great way to "weed out undesireable traits". Hitler had the idea, but not the tools. We now have the tools, so it's only a matter of time before the Hitler part of the equation arises.

Over the years I have noted the abuse of the health care system, both from within (doctors) and without (bureaucrats). The greed for money and power that drives them also blinds them to the humanity that they swear they claim to serve. It's the same old story: Given absolute power, God is pushed off the throne and man ascends to put himself in the place of God, to the ruination of the rest of the humanity they supposedly serve. The movie "Bruce Almighty" is a good example of what happens when godlike powers are given to mortal man...

[Quix]

One other find that scares the bejeebers out of me is that they found a gene that apparently controls lifespan. By manipulating this gene in mice, they were able to increase the lifespan of the mice 3-fold. My fear is that this is being pushed by the "overlords" (people like Soros, Hitlery, Uncle Ted, etc.) for their own personal use and treatment. I have nightmares about this...

Call me crazy, call me wacky. But having seen science fiction become science fact in 30 years gives me reason to be alarmed, considering who controls it...
= = = =

I don't consider you whacky in the least.

The puppet masters are THAT evil and Machiavellian AND MANY TIMES WORSE.

The global government is coming. God Almighty is our only hope and refuge.

[Quix]

We do not violate God's laws without severe consequenced.
= = = =

INDEED! Soooo true.

But the puppet masters deny God's existence as Almighty God and yet, paradoxically some of the top satan worshipping sorts think satan will win at Armageddon.

Sheer idiocy.

Demon possessed idiocy.

[NicknamedBob]

So, you're saying that, having failed at building the Tower of Babel, we're now trying to attain Godhood by climbing a DNA ladder?

In the science fiction shows, this type of analysis seems routine and straightforward. But analyzing a genome is not the same as being able to "correct" errors in it. One can find misspellings in published books, but getting the corrections out to everywhere is virtually impossible.

In the same way, variability in the human genome should not always be read as destructive. In this case at least, diversity IS our strength. Now that biogenic weaponry is again in the news, disease resistance that varies because of one's genome will become even more important.

We should not throw out the errant baby genome with the amniotic fluid.

[Dubh_Ghlase]

So, you're saying that, having failed at building the Tower of Babel, we're now trying to attain Godhood by climbing a DNA ladder?

I believe that is the case. The model that the movie Gattaca was built on is becoming fact before our very eyes. The database needed is being built as we "speak". The technology used there is only a matter of time. RFID chip tracking is already being tested in hospitals in NJ for "high risk" patients. This type of technology, once in place, is easily converted to other applications. I agree that differences in the genome should not be cause for genetic cleansing.

Consider however genetic manipulation, with the previously mentioned case of longevity. If there can be a way to do gene manipulation to increase longevity, who would buy the treatment? Would it be made available to all? Or would "The Government" decide? Even if they put up some blue-ribbon panel to pick and chose the new "master race", you can bet your bottom dollar that the rich and powerful would be getting their lifespans extended behind the scenes. Just like the rich saudi arab that was bumped to the head of the line in CA (I believe) to get a liver transplant, ahead of more deserving AMERICANS!

Think also of a disease for which there may only be a limited supply of vaccine. Who gets it? You can bet the congress-critters, executive branch, judicial branch, and THEIR FAMILIES would get it ahead of just about anyone else (including the military). Again, the rich would be getting their shots on the sly, while the rest of the unwashed masses died in waves.

See my point? No fair play when life and death (or wealth and power) are in the deal, no matter what the game...

[NicknamedBob]

"See my point? No fair play when life and death (or wealth and power) are in the deal, no matter what the game..."

I see your point, but you may have failed to see mine.

I don't think these "treatments" can function on grown individuals. Gene therapy right now is at the Louis Pasteur stage. We may know what we want to do, but we don't know how to do it.

We can, however, produce the chains and links and genomes of interest in single cells or gametes, and then let them grow to maturity.

Children of the damned, or of the blessed?

We don't know yet.

Assuming we can change our children, would longevity be chosen? -- Yes. It will be needed for star travel.

Better vision is possible; better memory; better health perhaps. There are many possibilities.

It may not be such a bad thing. Some have said we will be replaced by robots. If we can change ourselves, we may become the competitors to our competitors.

This is not a matter of good and evil, or maybe it is. We will be taking another bite of the apple. -- And just like the last time, we could be getting into real trouble.

[King Prout]

Again, the rich would be getting their shots on the sly, while the rest of the unwashed masses died in waves. See my point? No fair play when life and death (or wealth and power) are in the deal, no matter what the game...

then get rich and build a solid network of powerful partons.

seriously, what is your point? no one "deserves" any advantage they don't earn or cannot pay for - be it a tool, a good paying job, insurance, a nice home, health care of any sort, rapid travel, etc...

the "unfairness" of life is what motivates us to create and improve upon power. why would any sane being alter what works so well?

[Dead Corpse]

Actually, that genome in mice did some rather nasty things to metabolism in the process. It essentially was the "starvation mode" trigger. Put all the bodily functions into extreme survival mode.

In a sentient being, I can imagine this being a less than pleasant existence. Even if it meant a 3 century lifespan.

And intriguing development that points to other areas of interest. Hardly a desirable means of obtaining a longer lifespan.

[Dead Corpse]

Not yet they can't. But then again, some of the treatments already available today were not available ten years ago. It very well could be that 20 years hence, such therapies will be generally available. If not here in the US, then elsewhere under probably less than ideal circumstances.

As for governmental control over such experiments and treatments, that way lies madness. Leave it in the free market where it belongs. If you can afford to contract with a life extension company, so be it. If not, then not. If your company isn't ethical enough to market a "safe" product, then you will be destroyed in the legal arena via lawsuits and paying restitution to your victims.

Extropians, and other groups, have already started the ethical debates on such topics. So far, taking control under "free will" is far better than either government apportionment, or government bans.

Once something is out of Pandora's little cube... it can never be put back in again...

[Dead Corpse]

Exactly, who are they to have their government proxy put a gun in a productive persons face, to steal their wealth, so someone less capable at keeping themselves alive can leech off life from their betters?

It sounds cruel. So be it.

However, caveat, ect...

The current oligarchy is using the current "democratic" power structure to keep down competition, instead of competiting ethically. This is as evil as the poor getting government enforcers to steal others livelyhood.

And it will continue, until we put a stop to it.

[stephenjohnbanker]

"the "unfairness" of life is what motivates us to create and improve upon power. why would any sane being alter what works so well?"

No sane being would. Good post.