In the news

Sources: Genomes Unzipped, Times newspaper

The Genomes Unzipped project (see previous news) is releasing personal genetic data from contributors – researchers and other genomics experts and commentators, who have had their genome scanned by personal genomics companies. 

They have chosen to make their genetic data publicly available, in an attempt to provoke useful discussion about the use and limitations of genomic information and to address common fears and concerns. The view at Genomes Unzipped is also that sharing data is a public benefit, necessary to further scientific and medical research, and that the benefits outweigh the potential personal harms.   Ultimately, they aim to publish whole personal genome sequences, along with a custom browser to let others make sense of their own genome data, and build an online community of interested individuals.  Meanwhile, in addition to blogging about genomics more widely, contributors will analyse and discuss their own results and reactions, and invite other experts to comment.

Dr Caroline Wright of the PHG Foundation, one of the Genomes Unzipped team, said that having her genome analysed had been “interesting, educational and worthwhile…But it hasn’t really been useful for my health”. She expects this experience to be quite common: “we shouldn’t expect to find hidden treasures in everyone’s genomes, nor skeletons in the cupboard”.