How can I make money from my DNA?

If you have your DNA sequenced, someone somewhere will be making money from the data. A new start-up aims to make sure that you get your share

" A share in the future of DNA: Prof George Church Q&A

If you unlock the secrets of your DNA by paying a company to read your genes, behind the scenes it is probably making money by selling on your data for research. Companies like 23andMe and AncestryDNA charge consumers under 150 to learn about their health and/or origins, while others do whole genome sequencing for a little over 1,000 (although in the US it is cheaper at just under $1,000). The model works like this: send in a saliva sample, receive the results and provided you consent, which most people do because they want to help research efforts, the company retains control of the data. Pharmaceutical and biotech companies hoping to develop new drugs become their customers - off the back of your genetic information.

Nebula Genomics, a US based startup, wants to upend this exploitation. It will offer whole genome sequencing, but allow customers to keep custodianship of their data, which they can then rent to the drug companies they choose, potentially making a profit in the process.

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