Comments on: Apple sheds light on Illumina’s genome app

By: 23andMe has 30,000 “active” genomes, launching “Relative Finder” soon | mobihealthnews

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:39:35 +0000

[...] for an iPhone application, called myGenome, that included information from a person’s genome. Illumina told Apple that the completed app aims to “present complex genomic datasets in an easy-to-understand, [...]

By: genomelover

genomelover — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:09:17 +0000

At the same event – the Boston Consumer Genetics Conference– I saw this demo of genome-based shopping. http://www.junkdna.com/hologenomics_history.html#dna_based_pda_barcode_shopping

Apparently it’s PDA-agnostic (demoed at the event on the Google Android) and requires no understanding of genomics. This appears to be a simple, practical use of personal genome information. Also, according to the inventor, Dr. Pellionisz, the genome based shopping doesn’t require the personal genomic information to be downloaded to the PDA where it could be lost or stolen, but rather the genomic information is utilized by the PDA shoppping application to make the best personal genome based choices when shopping.

By: Apple sheds light on Illumina’s genome app | Wireless-Life Sciences Alliance

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:50:41 +0000

[...] Continue reading here: Apple sheds light on Illumina’s genome app [...]

By: Mr. Gunn

Mr. Gunn — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:34:48 +0000

Well, I think you might have the wrong end of the stick here. First of all, not all genomic information is medical information. You might have interesting traits which would benefit from a clear presentation. Second, and more pertinent to this situation, is that doctors aren’t all trained geneticists. More likely, this is information you could discuss with a genetic counselor and then further discuss with your primary care doctor, but it’s not something your doctor would know what to do with in raw form, so it certainly does help to have it available and clearly presented. Finally, this allows people to have more control over and responsibility for the kind of care they get, which I think we can all agree is a good thing.

By: Wellescent Health Blog

Wellescent Health Blog — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:04:53 +0000

While having access to this information is potentially useful, Illumina is one of several companies really trying to create a market for consumer oriented genetics. I am not sure that this will play out all that well given that few of use currently carry around all our blood information or information from other medical tests in our back pocket. This is typically the realm of interaction between diagnostic test labs and our doctors because of the need for interpretation of the results.

Essentially, having our genes sequenced or analyzed for disease risk is no different than letting your doctor know that you have a family history of Alzheimer’s or heart disease. While the genetic tests can see much more detail, the doctor will still analyze the results and risks. Carrying an iphone with this application is simply a different way of getting the knowledge to the doctor and is probably less efficient than having the doctor directly interact with a genetics test lab or access your genetic information through an online service holding the vast amounts of data.