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South Bay Accent - Apr/May 2017

April/May 2017 67 “WE WANT THIS TO BE MORE THAN JUST A SINGLE TRANSACTION. WITH A LOT OF DNA TESTING COMPANIES, YOU DO IT ONCE AND YOU’RE DONE. WITH US, BECAUSE WE’RE SEQUENCING SUCH A LARGE AMOUNT OF DATA, YOU CAN CONTINUE TO FIND NEW INSIGHTS AS NEW SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES ARE MADE.” more frequent mammograms and other preventative actions.” Counsyl also works with insurance companies, so they can advise people even before the DNA test on what treatments their insurance will cover. Moreover, insurance will usually cover all or part of the Counsyl test, but the out-of-pocket cost is $349 (including genetic counseling). Because it works with doctors, uses genetic counselors and runs its own lab, Counsyl, unlike 23andMe, is not currently regulated by the FDA. It is instead regulated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services, which ensures their lab complies required standards. Genos, also based in San Francisco, is similar to Counsyl in that it is physician-ordered. But rather than focus on parts of the DNA that relate to particular conditions or diseases, it tests the whole exome. Whole exome sequencing provides clients with information from 20,000 genes, and 50 times more data than most DNA testing companies. The cost is $499. Genos is also unique in that it gives people control of their data, which they can test over and over to answer any new question they have. — MARK BL UMLING, GENO S “We want this to be more than just a single transaction,” says co-founder Mark Blumling, who graduated from Stanford with a BA in human biology, among other degrees. “With a lot of DNA testing companies, you do it once and you’re done. With us, because we’re sequencing such a large amount of data, you can continue to find new insights as new scientific discoveries are made.” In addition, Genos runs studies with selected clients, and even compensates them $50 to $250 for the use of their data. There are a lot of companies out there that monetize the genetic data they get from people, said Blumling, adding that Genos operates differently. “If we use your data, we want you to get some of the economic benefit.” He adds that participating in a study can be a virtuous cycle for clients. They’re helping to drive new scientific discoveries that they, in the future, can benefit from, using the information to find new insights on their own DNA. “It’s a little bit like sequence now, discover forever,” says Blumling. Today’s payoffs may be remarkable, but tomorrow’s revelations promise to be even more compelling and beneficial to us all. n COURTESY OF GENOS


South Bay Accent - Apr/May 2017
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