News:India Recently Started Personal Genome Profiling, Commercially.

Question

[Naren]

A Hyderabad based company: mapmygenome started personal genome sequencing and profiling last month. Though most of the people might not afford his thing, many people will do that to quench their curiosity. We Indians are believers of Astrology and we will try this too. :)

Taking into account the population of India the data might be crucial for research but unfortunately due to privacy policy, it will surely be unavailable for us :(

IndianExpress Said:

In astrology and janampatri-crazy India, a Hyderabad-based company called Mapmygenome has launched GenomePatri, a scientifically-validated personal health horoscope charted by mining one's genetic profile.

Links:

• http://www.mapmygenome.in/
• http://mapmybrain.in/

[Alastair Kerr]

"personal health horoscope" This phrase really bothers me. Could this an indication just how tenuous their predictions will be? Looking at some of phenotypes they mention it looks like well characterised diseases: this also raises ethical questions of patient counselling (or lack thereof) if any of these test are positive.

[Naren]

Recently, Actress Angelina Jolie decided to remove her breast tissue as she knew that she carries a Gene BRCA1 responsible for breast cancer in future. This predisposition has become possible nowadays due to such profiling. Such crucial decisions by celebrities will improve awareness about genetics in layman.

Answer 1

[Ido Tamir]

http://www.mapmygenome.in/genomepatri/how-it-works

Comparing and contrasting human genomes in fine detail is carried out using variations called single nucleotide polymorhisms (SNP). SNPs are considered the most frequent of variations spread across a genome. Microarray platforms have exploited their density and spread by designing arrays (or chips) that probe at varying depths. Whole genome scans screen several thousands of SNPs on High Density arrays that accommodate millions of distinct spots on a single slide. Data generated at these volumes is validated, standardized, normalized and compared with many references from prior studies. Those that are considered statistically significant are highlighted and scrutinized for significance in biological associations. Rules that define such verifications include number of publications, their citations and even the rank of the journals published in – thumb rules that imply high-level reviews.

Like 23andme they don't sequence but use a chip. Sequencing is still to costly for retail products.