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Will 23andMe Find Which Genes Make You a Life-Long Athlete?

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by Aaron Saenz on February 25th, 2010
23andme athletics

23andMe is hunting for connections between genetics and athletics, especially as we age.

Back in October, 23andMe generated a little PR buzz by examining the genetic codes of 100 current and former NFL players and comparing them to non professional athletes. That genome wide association study (GWAS) didn’t actually turn up any remarkable results. Yet the GWAS wasn’t the first or last of 23andMe’s attempts at determining how genetics shapes athletics. Their SNP tests include examinations for key gene variants which may code for muscle growth and sprinting prowess. They have an associated study to find genes linked to sports injuries. Teaming up with the National Senior Games Association, 23andMe is offering discounts to older athletes who get tested and submit athletic surveys. They even offered free testing at the Palo Alto Senior Games (see page 15 of this pdf). No doubt about it, 23andMe is taking strides to understand the genetic variations that help some become athletic stars and force others to sit on the bench.

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Get Your Entire Genome From Complete Genomics For $5000

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by Aaron Saenz on August 28th, 2009

Complete Genomics is pushing down the costs of sequencing the human genome.

Complete Genomics is pushing down the costs of sequencing the human genome.

It’s getting progressively cheaper to sequence your entire genome. Earlier in June, Illumina announced it would provide sequencing for close to $50k, half of their original price. Not to be outdone, Complete Genomics just released on Monday that it had gathered $45 million dollars in funding. The Silicon Valley based company is planning to use that money to further develop their streamline sequencing operations so that they can offer a complete genome for just $5000 by next year. CG’s goal is to finish 10,000 sequences by years end 2010. Even though that’s later than we had hoped, it’s still a whole lot of DNA and at the cheapest price for a whole genome seen so far. The question is, can they really pull it off?

We’ve been looking for a company, any company really, to break the $1000 price mark for a complete genome sequencing sometime in the next few years. That’s about the point where retail sales of the service will explode. With their exponentially decreasing price tag, Complete Genomics might be on that path. However, we know of at least one company that is trying to reach that goal by the end of this year. Stay tuned for that story in the next few weeks.

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Genetic Testing of Chinese Children: Fraud and Future

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by Aaron Saenz on August 13th, 2009

Depending on who you ask the genetic testing of children is a nightmare, a science fiction ploy, or a day camp in China. At the Chongqing Children’s Palace, more than thirty children aged three to twelve are being tested for eleven genetic markers. With the help of these markers, and some observation of the child, Dr. Huang Xinhua, the manager of the facility, claims he can accurately predict abilities as diverse as IQ, memory, focus, emotional control, music appreciation, and athleticism. All in the span of a five-day camp for the children. Too bad it’s the equivalent of DNA astrology. As science blog Genetic Future was quick to point out, the whole setup is predicated on misconceptions. Check out the (neutral) CNN video after the break to learn more.

Will genetic testing of Chinese children act as a magic formula?

It seems so simple, right?

The simple fact is that current genetic testing isn’t able to predict complex abilities such as emotional control, IQ, or focus. Doing so based on just 11 genes is farcical. The day you may be able to predict height, physique, and hearing acuity based on genetic tests is coming soon, but it’s not here yet. Again, as Genetic Future points out, current genetic models are based on European genomes not Asian ones, and have proven ill-equipped to even predict height. The idea that a quick genetic test could serve as an aptitude test is ludicrous at this point in time.

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