23 and Me

[Deleted]

        The human genomic testing company called 23 and Me has been around since 2009, but I heard about it more recently.

        Extremely interesting stuff.    See www.23andme

        They analyze people's DNA-- using a saliva sample.  From SNP analysis of mitochondrial DNA, Y chromosome, and autosomal DNA, they can find all kinds of interesting data.   Cost $199.

         I haven't sent anything in as of yet.

         Mitochondrial DNA comes solely from our mothers-- and traces maternal lineage.

         Y-DNA is transmitted father to son-- and traces paternal ancestry.

         Various traits and health risks can be discerned through SNP testing.


         Here's a true story.  One of my sisters recently had her DNA analyzed by 23 and Me.  (They now have a worldwide database of about 1,000,00 people.)

        Her mitochondrial DNA had a very close match with a guy in Washington D.C. whom she was able to contact through their website.

        He graduated from Harvard and works for the State Department.  His parents were born in Slovenia, like my grandparents.  My sister called to say that he looked like me.  When she contacted him, he reported that his maternal grandmother was from a tiny village in Slovenia.  I've actually been there.  It's the same village where my mother's mother was born!

          How interesting is that?  We haven't quite figured out the genealogy, but his grandmother and mine are, obviously, descendants of a common maternal ancestor.

       

[daleko]

Apr 26, 2016 15:44:03 GMT -5 DrSchadenfreude said:

        The human genomic testing company called 23 and Me has been around since 2009, but I heard about it more recently.....................   

Actually a very interesting company history. Initially funded by a Google founder. Last I heard FDA put them out of business. It appears they are back in it. Given its Google DNA, you gotta wonder about the data mining that could be available. Tons of uses by the Pharma industry and off course the CIA.   Be careful Willie we are watching you. 

[Deleted]

Apr 27, 2016 10:47:55 GMT -5 daleko said:

Apr 26, 2016 15:44:03 GMT -5 DrSchadenfreude said:

        The human genomic testing company called 23 and Me has been around since 2009, but I heard about it more recently.....................   

Actually a very interesting company history. Initially funded by a Google founder. Last I heard FDA put them out of business. It appears they are back in it. Given its Google DNA, you gotta wonder about the data mining that could be available. Tons of uses by the Pharma industry and off course the CIA.   Be careful Willie we are watching you. 

Yeah, 23 and Me was being harassed by the FDA, but won FDA approval for their genomic analyses in October of 2015.    Because they were trying to build up a customer base and database, they initially did the testing for only $99.  This year, the price is up to $199.  Still fairly affordable for people who are interested.

They now have a huge database of genetic information that can be used-- like any technology-- for good and evil.

One potential abuse would be a potential negative effect on insurance underwriting for consumers.

On the up side, genetic markers for diseases-- e.g., Parkinsonism, ulcerative colitis, etc.-- could help people better identify, manage, and perhaps even prevent, major illnesses.

This is the future.

[Walter]

I would need to have some sort of written agreement stipulating total ownership and control of the result or no way I'd do this.

[Deleted]

Apr 27, 2016 13:40:46 GMT -5 Walter said:

I would need to have some sort of written agreement stipulating total ownership and control of the result or no way I'd do this.

Walt,

   I don't know how they handle confidentiality issues.

   I do know that my sister and I have a high percentage of Neanderthal DNA.

   Now they think that red hair and freckles are Neanderthal-linked traits.

   

[Walter]

Apr 27, 2016 13:46:42 GMT -5 DrSchadenfreude said:

Apr 27, 2016 13:40:46 GMT -5 Walter said:

I would need to have some sort of written agreement stipulating total ownership and control of the result or no way I'd do this.

Walt,

   I don't know how they handle confidentiality issues.

   I do know that my sister and I have a high percentage of Neanderthal DNA.

   Now they think that red hair and freckles are Neanderthal-linked traits.

   

It's not a question of confidentiality. It's a matter of ownership of the result.

[Deleted]

Apr 27, 2016 15:23:37 GMT -5 Walter said:

Apr 27, 2016 13:46:42 GMT -5 DrSchadenfreude said:

Walt,

   I don't know how they handle confidentiality issues.

   I do know that my sister and I have a high percentage of Neanderthal DNA.

   Now they think that red hair and freckles are Neanderthal-linked traits.

   

It's not a question of confidentiality. It's a matter of ownership of the result.

They do send subscribers a print out of the results, Walt.   You can find out if you are a Neanderthal.

Is your concern that they would share your genetic data with someone?

[Walter]

Apr 27, 2016 18:13:35 GMT -5 DrSchadenfreude said:

Apr 27, 2016 15:23:37 GMT -5 Walter said:

It's not a question of confidentiality. It's a matter of ownership of the result.

They do send subscribers a print out of the results, Walt.   You can find out if you are a Neanderthal.

Is your concern that they would share your genetic data with someone?

They "send a printout" ?
Gee whiz....how nice of them.

Tell me.
Why should they retain a record of it?
They aren't doctors, at least not MY doctors.
They can't do anything with it other than compile it and sell it. And if I, 1) can't control to whom they sell it, and 2) don't receive a royalty for that sale, why would I want to let them keep it?

[Deleted]

Apr 27, 2016 18:57:30 GMT -5 Walter said:

Apr 27, 2016 18:13:35 GMT -5 DrSchadenfreude said:

They do send subscribers a print out of the results, Walt.   You can find out if you are a Neanderthal.

Is your concern that they would share your genetic data with someone?

They "send a printout" ?
Gee whiz....how nice of them.

Tell me.
Why should they retain a record of it?
They aren't doctors, at least not MY doctors.
They can't do anything with it other than compile it and sell it. And if I, 1) can't control to whom they sell it, and 2) don't receive a royalty for that sale, why would I want to let them keep it?

Why should they retain records?  In a word, RESEARCH.

Among other things, they have a large enough database now to reconstruct the genetic history of the human race.

With some of these chromosomal markers, they can even tell you about famous people you are closely related to.

In your case, I'm guessing it's either Abbot or Costello... 

[Walter]

Apr 27, 2016 20:16:03 GMT -5 DrSchadenfreude said:

Apr 27, 2016 18:57:30 GMT -5 Walter said:

They "send a printout" ?
Gee whiz....how nice of them.

Tell me.
Why should they retain a record of it?
They aren't doctors, at least not MY doctors.
They can't do anything with it other than compile it and sell it. And if I, 1) can't control to whom they sell it, and 2) don't receive a royalty for that sale, why would I want to let them keep it?

Why should they retain records?  In a word, RESEARCH.

Among other things, they have a large enough database now to reconstruct the genetic history of the human race.

With some of these chromosomal markers, they can even tell you about famous people you are closely related to.

In your case, I'm guessing it's either Abbot or Costello... 

Fine....then get my permission and the permission of the famous person, and pay us each a royalty each time our DNA is used to make money.
Otherwise, pound sand.

[Deleted]

Apr 28, 2016 11:56:47 GMT -5 Walter said:

Apr 27, 2016 20:16:03 GMT -5 DrSchadenfreude said:

Why should they retain records?  In a word, RESEARCH.

Among other things, they have a large enough database now to reconstruct the genetic history of the human race.

With some of these chromosomal markers, they can even tell you about famous people you are closely related to.

In your case, I'm guessing it's either Abbot or Costello... 

Fine....then get my permission and the permission of the famous person, and pay us each a royalty each time our DNA is used to make money.
Otherwise, pound sand.

Walter,   

23 and Me subscribers do not have to participate in their genealogy forum.  I believe that's optional.

In other words, if you want to remain utterly obscure and anonymous, no one is stopping you.

But what if you turn out to be closely related to Mutt, or to one of the Munchkins in the Wizard of Oz?  Wouldn't you want to know?  

[daleko]

Apr 27, 2016 20:16:03 GMT -5 DrSchadenfreude said:

Apr 27, 2016 18:57:30 GMT -5 Walter said:

They "send a printout" ?
Gee whiz....how nice of them.

Tell me.
Why should they retain a record of it?
They aren't doctors, at least not MY doctors.
They can't do anything with it other than compile it and sell it. And if I, 1) can't control to whom they sell it, and 2) don't receive a royalty for that sale, why would I want to let them keep it?

Why should they retain records?  In a word, RESEARCH.

Among other things, they have a large enough database now to reconstruct the genetic history of the human race.

With some of these chromosomal markers, they can even tell you about famous people you are closely related to.

In your case, I'm guessing it's either Abbot or Costello... 

My understanding is that they have done between 1-2MM. Don't know if that's sig or not. Like I said interesting company. Gal who runs it is an EX of one of the Google founders. They do know how to mine data and use it.

[Deleted]

Apr 28, 2016 18:29:45 GMT -5 daleko said:

Apr 27, 2016 20:16:03 GMT -5 DrSchadenfreude said:

Why should they retain records?  In a word, RESEARCH.

Among other things, they have a large enough database now to reconstruct the genetic history of the human race.

With some of these chromosomal markers, they can even tell you about famous people you are closely related to.

In your case, I'm guessing it's either Abbot or Costello... 

My understanding is that they have done between 1-2MM. Don't know if that's sig or not. Like I said interesting company. Gal who runs it is an EX of one of the Google founders. They do know how to mine data and use it.

They have generated some very interesting demographic maps-- based on various Y chromosomal (paternal) alleles, and mitochondrial DNA (maternal) variations.

For example, there seems to be a specific Y chromosomal marker for the Cohanim-- the Jewish priestly class descending from Aaron, the brother of Moses.

Conversely, a geneticist (who happens to be Jewish) has claimed that all Ashkenazim are descended from four northern European women (goyim.)  Oy veh!!

Males descended from Vikings have a Y chromosomal marker called R1.

I'm not sure about the Cheese Heads... 

[daleko]

Apr 28, 2016 18:51:42 GMT -5 DrSchadenfreude said:

Apr 28, 2016 18:29:45 GMT -5 daleko said:

My understanding is that they have done between 1-2MM. Don't know if that's sig or not. Like I said interesting company. Gal who runs it is an EX of one of the Google founders. They do know how to mine data and use it.

They have generated some very interesting demographic maps-- based on various Y chromosomal (paternal) alleles, and mitochondrial DNA (maternal) variations.

For example, there seems to be a specific Y chromosomal marker for the Cohanim-- the Jewish priestly class descending from Aaron, the brother of Moses.

Conversely, a geneticist (who happens to be Jewish) has claimed that all Ashkenazim are descended from four northern European women (goyim.)  Oy veh!!

Males descended from Vikings have a Y chromosomal marker called R1.

I'm not sure about the Cheese Heads... 

Alpha & Omerga

[Deleted]