Genomics is mired in misunderstanding

摘要

Readers of Nature, we can assume, are bright and insatiably curious. So why have so few obtained and interpreted their own genome sequence? The answer, I suspect, is that we are failing to communicate genomic progress to the public. For 7 years I led one of the teams registered to compete for the US$10-million Archon Genomics X Prize, and I was naturally disappointed by the abrupt cancellation of the competition in August. However, the confusion surrounding the X Prize debacle does at least highlight several problems and misunderstandings in genomics. The first is that genomics is seen as expensive. In fact, sequencing costs have plummeted - from $3 billion for the first human genome in 2006 down to $1,000 wholesale cost today. That's not much more than the cost of a decent laptop, and much less than a car. However, people are reluctant to pay to have their genome sequenced - many feel that it should be provided for free by insurance schemes or the government. But the cost of sequencing can easily be recovered over a lifetime through the avoidance of unnecessary diagnostics, therapeutics and time spent in waiting rooms and hospitals.