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Sequencing at home is done all the time by your own cells -- or anyway replication is. There's no inherent reason it can't be done by small cheap tools; we're j
by abecedarius 11y ago
Sequencing at home is done all the time by your own cells -- or anyway replication is. There's no inherent reason it can't be done by small cheap tools; we're just not there yet.
(Yes, privacy is why I never signed up with 23andme. I expected news like this.)
- abecedarius 11y agoAdded: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanopore_sequencing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanopore_sequencing offers compact sequencers. Here's a handheld one: http://www.wired.com/2012/03/oxford-nanopore-sequencing-usb/ http://www.wired.com/2012/03/oxford-nanopore-sequencing-usb/ There can't be any physical barrier to high-quality readout by machines as small as a cell, because our own cells do it. I only brought that up because, ironically, I know more about cells than nanopore sequencing.
- damurdock 11y agoWe're still years off from sequencing at home for anyone other than dedicated biohackers. The MinION is really cool, but it's very much an advanced researcher's tool. Honestly, if you're interested in having your genome sequenced/analyzed, I would suggest contacting a local genetic counselor and asking if they can find a sequencing core (or someone that does beadchips) that would agree to delete your data after analysis. They would also be able to discuss your data and the impact it has on your health with you, and provide referrals if more testing or diagnosis is needed.
- abecedarius 11y agoI figured that was probably the case; even optimistically, the Minion costs around $1000. But the parent comment seemed rather too absolute in rejecting sequencing at home, like it'd never happen. I'm going to wait a few years and then reevaluate the choices.