Adriano Squecco of DNA-forums.org is collecting Y Chromosome information from DTC consumers and compiling an open community ancestry database: Y-DNA-FORUMS [excel spreadsheet] (my results are under “Yates” on the 23andMe v1 page)

Interestingly, he is advertising his project on the 23andMe user boards, which is how I found Adriano and his project. Since users can download their 23andMe (or deCODEme) genomic test results as a text file, any 3rd-party service in a secondary genomic market can provide interpretation and collaboration services without ever handling biological samples over the internet.

This is the future.

The sequencing of the genome itself isn’t as interesting because we know what the end is: a cheap, accurate, complete genomic sequence. We may think of genomic testing today as an obscure luxury service, but the technology will bottom out and sequencing companies will consolidate, all offering the same undifferentiated sequence, all competing on price, economy of scale, and marketing.

Instead, what is interesting, what offers an unlimited potential for differentiation, competition, and innovation —is the secondary genomic market, services which accept biological test results and produce research and interpretation. And while genomic testing is the obvious start for a secondary medical information market, why not any medical test? We already send away blood and cultures to a lab and get back data at medical facilities, why not cut out the middle and do it directly through the mail and the Web?

Que Dr. Steven Murphy freaking out about involving doctors and irresponsibility… except, now we got smart. We’re going to beat the “hackers” at their own game, right Steve?

Introducing HelixGene

PS: obviously, this is just a quick proof of execution. Give us at least more than one night to build a prototype of a radical new model of health care, ok?

Introducing: HelixGene Foundation for Better Genomic Medicine. You email us your medical questions about genomics, our licensed medical genomic doctors email answers. This announcement is our soft-launch: we are accepting and answering emails and paid subscriptions, but we are still building the service and have not officially launched. Our genomic specialist physicians include:

Steven A. R. Murphy, MD (also known as The Gene Sherpa)
Clinical Genetics Fellow, Yale School of Medicine;
Managing Partner, Helix Health, PLLC

Adam J. Messenger, MD
Pharmacogenomics Specialist, Department of Pharmacology, New York
Medical College and Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences

Matthew B. Lubin, MD

Jennifer Ibrahim, MD

Joy Samanich, MD

Our general subscription is $14.95 per month (FREE first month alpha accounts) to post medical genomic questions to HelixGene’s public forum by email. Private emails are $145 each and will be answered by a HelixGene health professional in 48 to 72 hours.

We DO discuss the medical validity and implications of all DTC genomic tests in a medical setting including: 23andMe, deCODEme, and Navigenics.

For the press, we provide expert opinion services for journalists and sell expert review subscriptions for mass media publications including medical genomic information. To enforce accountability we feel is lacking in medical reporting in the mass media today, HelixGene publishes medical genomic report cards for publications. Pre-submitting your publications and consulting with our experts helps us help you accurately and honestly report medical genomic information to the general public. Ask our about media medical consulting plans including those for bloggers, independent journalists, and major publications. Email us for pricing.

We also host a private, invitation-only genomic specialist forum which is free. If you are qualified, ask for an invitation to our expert forum. This is a forum for doctors and scientists to discuss academic issues, particularly to discuss the merits of new genomic services, academic issues, and troubling medical genomic reporting in the popular media. Email us for an invitation.

Secondary Market Database

I’ve started a database for secondary genomic market services. Please leave a comment here to report new services or send Think Gene an email.