New 23andMe Headquarters

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted September 10, 2007 in DNA Products, DNA Testing

When is personal genomics company 23andMe launching? Not sure but they’ve apparently moved into new headquarters. Here’s a shot labeled 23andBikes from Esther Dyson’s Flickr photostream.

She says:

the new HQ for 23andMe - still short of a bike rack.

the implicit message:
genes + environment + behavior + luck = destiny

(Disclosure: I’m on the board.)

Even more interesting was Tom Lord’s comment:

genes + environment + behavior + luck = destiny

Which terms on the left dominate and how do you know? How do they interact?

What is the difference between this development and, say, the commercialization of eugenics during WWII? Both start with a tiny core of real science but then both seem to quickly leap to non-scientific conclusions in support of bogus political aims. That little equation up there really sets off alarm bells, for me. I understand the romantic appeal of the idea of “exceptional heritage” but when it becomes elevated to the level of social policy I think we must all say “no”.

Current bleeding-edge techniques for less-expensive resequencing have poorly-understood error rates and poorly-understood kinds of error. The sequence spelling (”ACCG…”) that you get back is certainly wrong in some details. We don’t really know if it is systematically wrong (e.g., whether repeated resequencings of a single genome will likely just keep repeating certain errors or whether it will clear them up). So, I wonder, can 23andMe counsel me as to which kinds of misinterpretation are likely?

23andMe has a mission of consumer empowerment. Couldn’t they save time by putting up a page that says “Well, we really don’t know much,” followed by a bibliography?

Why, in other words, is there such a rush among this clique to make a consumer product out of something of such dubious value and that is so poorly understood? We’re at the stage of the science where we can begin collecting data, not drawing conclusions. Why should we regard this as anything less than a massive-scale, uncontrolled, unsupervised human-subject experiment combined with a business model designed to get subjects to pay for their own use in the study, this business marketed by a superstitious and unscientific interpretation of the data collected?

Does 23andMe claim that there is a medical use for this data or for their services? Which regulatory agencies have reviewed these claims?

Esther’s response:

Tom -

please stand by for the answers. The company has not yet launched. When we do, we aim to be a model of transparency and responsibility.

I think we’re all waiting for the answers!

There are more pictures of the 23andMe new building at hawflakes’ Flickr photostream. Lots of cubicles!

More about 23andMe here at Eye on DNA:

• DNA Quote: Martin Varsavsky
• Personal Genome Company 23andMe receives Google Investment

Tags: 23andme, esther dyson, personal genomics, genetics, genes, dna

RSS feed | Trackback URI

Please note that comments left using the form below will be publicly displayed. If you'd like to correspond with me privately, please email me at hsien@eyeondna.com.

If your comment doesn't show up immediately, it's probably in moderation. I will approve it as soon as I can! Thanks for your patience.

10 Comments »

Comment by StevenMurphy MD

2007-09-11 00:56:15

Well…….. I am certain they will be responsible. But what will the public begin to think? The answer lies in education and proper counseling. Too bad counseling isn’t scalable…….But hey guess what? Printed reports are…..

Genomics and medicine are not scalable entities. But Genomics and food is……

I wish we had the manpower to be ready for this storm.

-Steve
http://www.thegenesherpa.blogspot.com

Reply to this comment

Comment by Hsien

2007-09-11 20:25:26

You know, some people are happy with printed reports and online counseling especially since a whole lot of people don’t have time and are scared to go to the doctor.

I know this isn’t directly comparable to genetic testing but people are becoming so comfortable with the Internet that it does work in a number of ways. My friend Christina is doing the Jenny Craig program and because there’s no JC center in her town, she’s on the Jenny Direct Internet Program and calls her counselor once a week. As far as I can tell, Christina’s pretty satisfied.

Reply to this comment

 

 

Comment by ramunas

2007-09-11 06:00:53

What a beautiful photo - genetics and bicycles are my hobbies! I’ve only seen such collection of (bio)bicycles at MRC Holland, producers of MLPA kits in Amsterdam, Holland.

Reply to this comment

Comment by Hsien

2007-09-11 20:27:27

Ramunas, I love to ride too but am not so good at it. If I get on a bike for longer than 30 minutes, I’m guaranteed a fall.

Reply to this comment

 

 

Comment by Barry Starr

2007-09-12 23:12:25

I was talking with someone the other day and they told me that 23andme will do testing and will keep the DNA to do additional research on. Is this true? I wonder how that will work?

Reply to this comment

Comment by Hsien

2007-09-14 12:56:33

Most probably. 23andMe has a grand vision that will unite the world by tying their DNA together. (Being kind of facetious but not 100%.) Guess we’ll find out at launch time.

FYI, genetic genealogy companies routinely store DNA so that customers can order upgrades more easily. They also keep customer data in their database if the customer has signed a release form to make it possible for people to compare genetic data and find matches. If the company’s purpose is in sync with yours then it’s all good. But if the company begins to do thing with the DNA that you might never have anticipated or have any interest in, that’s where the problems start.

Reply to this comment

Comment by Steven Murphy MD

2007-09-14 13:58:16

Storing DNA/genomes/sequence is great and it is nice to match people up. The problem I see is that HIPAA laws do not govern NON-Medical companies and there is a gaping hole as to where genomic information stands. Last time I have checked, GINA has not passed yet. No one is preventing this company from selling your code to insurers…. I hope that they will not sell…..In fact I am certain they will not sell your ladder. But what about the imitators???
-Steve
http://www.thegenesherpa.blogspot.com

(Comments wont nest below this level)

Comment by Hsien

2007-09-14 14:10:57

The imitators don’t need to store your DNA, they’re probably scraping it off the sidewalk then trying to con you into paying for their service because they’re holding your DNA hostage anyway! Hmmm, interesting business idea.

 

Reply here

 

 

 

Comment by StevenMurphy MD

2007-09-14 15:33:35

Very funny……. I hope

Reply to this comment

 

Pingback by Flickr Comments on DNA Direct

2007-09-17 09:14:55

[...] 17, 2007 in DNA Fun After I discovered some interesting comments last week on a picture of the new 23andMe headquarters, I went trolling for more and found some comments on DNA Direct (where I currently work as a [...]

Reply to this comment