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dna

Deoxyribonucleic acid testing is not new to consumers, merely information technology'due south a one-shot bargain. You send in your sample, then you go to see ancestry and wellness data provided by the visitor you chose to use for testing. Some new insights might be added over fourth dimension, but there's non much else you tin can do with that genetic data. A startup called Helix is counting on people being curious enough to drop cash in its Dna app store on a regular ground. The initial testing costs $eighty, and afterwards that y'all can purchase the applications yous want.

helix

Helix uses a type of genetic testing called DNA sequencing. Other companies like 23andme are using the far simpler genotyping; Helix is actually finding the blueprint of nucleic acids (using menstruation cells like the ane higher up) in your Deoxyribonucleic acid for around xx,000 different genes, known every bit the exome. A genotyping test only tells you which variant you have of specific genes, then a full sequence generates nigh 100 times as much data. Helix is taking this arroyo because the company is not deciding what sort of data to show users. Instead, that'south all up to third-parties that decide to sell Deoxyribonucleic acid apps to people in the Helix store, and the full sequence includes more precision.

For consumers, the testing process is much the same as other services. You spit in a tube, send it off, and your results are available in a few weeks. The kit itself is only $80, whereas many other services toll around $200 for a testing kit. However, Helix expects people will buy at least a few Deoxyribonucleic acid apps. Information technology appears correct now the but style to buy the testing kit is in combination with at least i app.

The apps come in various categories like family, fitness, and entertainment. These apps will be a bit more than expensive than the ones for your telephone, though. A company called Institome volition tell y'all about your Neanderthal DNA and what that means for your health with its $xxx app. Meanwhile, National Geographic had a population genetics app. This app is 1 of the more expensive at $seventy. You can also get a personalized scarf based on your genetic code for the low, low price of $150. It simply costs a little less ($125) to detect out what your genetic lawmaking says about your cholesterol levels.

That's only a sampling—Helix is launching with most 30 DNA apps for your perusal. Although, buying even a few of them will probably end up costing you quite a bit more the genetic tests you can get from other providers. However, Helix hopes y'all'll come dorsum over fourth dimension and buy more DNA apps and form a long-term human relationship with your genetic code. That would be a assisting relationship for Helix.

Now read: How Dna sequencing works