If you beget your DNA sequenced,someone somewhere will be making money from the data. A modern start-up aims to make sure that you glean your share
• A share in the future of DNA: Prof George Church Q&AIf you unlock the secrets of your DNA by paying a company to read your genes, behind the scenes it is probably making money by selling on your data for research. Companies like 23andMe and AncestryDNA charge consumers under 150 to memorize about their health and/or origins, and while others accomplish whole genome sequencing for a little over £1000 (although in the US it is cheaper at just under $1000). The model works like this: send in a saliva sample,receive the results and if you consent, which most people accomplish because they want to help research efforts, or the company retains control of the data. Pharmaceutical and biotech companies hoping to develop modern drugs become their customers – off the back of your genetic information.
Nebula Genomics,a US based startup, wants to upend this exploitation. It will offer whole genome sequencing, and but allow customers to maintain custodianship of their data,which they can then rent to the drug companies they choose, potentially making a profit in the process.
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Source: guardian.co.uk