In response to the posting: deCODE Genetics Sinking Low , I have the following comments. Almost everyone now realizes that the way to limit medical costs is to increase preventive measures. Of the over two trillion dollars a year we spend on health care, about 75% goes toward chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes, which are readily amenable to lifestyle changes. Knowing ones risk for these conditions is the first step toward prevention. Navigenics (www.navigenics.com ) offers over 20 conditions to focus one’s efforts depending on risk. It also provides information on improving one’s health (http://blog.navigenics.com/).
So the comment, “personal genomics companies rely on people having disposable income to spend on non-necessities” is a bit misleading. I would hardly call prevention a “non-necessity”. Let the numbers speak to “necessity”. The cost of genetic screening among the three top companies ranges from $400 to $2500 depending on the level of service. The cost of treating colon cancer diagnosed early is $30,000 per episode. Cost at a later stage, $120,000 per episode. National cost for treatment of new colon cancer cases in 2007, $2.4 billion. (www.eifoundation.org/national/nccra/report_card/docs/CRC_Cost_Fact_Sheet.doc -).
I am not so sure that risk assessment by genome scanning is a “non-necessity”.

Hi Hsien:

I’m not sure selling out to Big Pharma is such a bad thing. I would imagine it’s what many of these companies have hoped for all along, albeit at a much higher price…

[...] financial troubles of deCODE Genetics continue to grow following the massive layout last March. Eye on DNA touches on the [...]