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University life comes hand in hand with the stereotypical behaviour of drinking, wild nights out at the student bars, meeting people… and perhaps being on the looking out for potential partners. But how do you know if you’re really compatible? Ever thought about getting your DNA checked out while you’re down the bar too? As genetic analysis moves into the public domain it’s now quicker and easier than ever before.
Genetic testing company 23andMe have moved from internet service to making genetic testing a social event at ‘spit parties’ sounding “kind of like a ’70s sex extravaganza,” according to Barry Diller who introduced the idea in New York. By analysing saliva the company claims to analyse your DNA so it can tell you whether you have or are at risk of developing over 20 diseases or have particular personality traits.
Anne Wojcicki, co-founder of 23andMe states that the company’s mission is to “enable anyone to be able to get access to their genetic information.” So how can this new technology advance medical research and how does it work?
23andme take your saliva, which contains billions of cells containing your DNA. DNA contains instructions consisting of a string of different codes, and the orders in which these codes are put together vary from person to person. So using genotyping technology called beadchip they are able to pinpoint where your codes are similar to the codes known to be linked with diseases. Half a million points in your DNA are analysed and converted into digital data. At the cost of £220 you can begin to explore your genome, learning about your origins and implications of your genotype.
And how can having your genome decoded help? The central objective of genetic testing is to predict disorders or diseases that can run in families such as cystic fibrosis, Huntington’s disease and cancer. However, we can also find genetically compatible partners or cyber friends. We are naturally attracted to people with genes opposite to our own encouraging gene mixing and greater protection from a variety of diseases in our young. Using the genetic testing company genepartner you can look for genes that may determine your sexual attractiveness – improving human relationships without the romance!
However, with a growing self-discovery obsession among young people, having your genes analysed may become the latest must-have experience. Dr Alan Guttmacher, acting director of America’s National Human Genome Research Institute, said: “It can be neat and fun, but it can also have deep psychological implications for how you view yourself.”
Positively, finding out that you have the gene called α-actinin-3 could convince you to take up new hobbies as it is found in people who excel at sprinting. But some people feel that widespread DNA testing would remove the enigma of our futures. Perhaps telling people they are likely to suffer from a heart attack could cause them feel anxious. But maybe it would spur them on to reduce other risk factors: could DNA testing change the student diet of alcohol and pizza?
