Glenn Close has genome sequenced
Source: Agencies |
March 13, 2010, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
ARCHBISHOP Desmond Tutu has done it. So has genome pioneer Craig Venter.
And now American film actress Glenn Close has joined a handful of celebrities to have their genome sequenced in the name of science.
Close, who stars in the television series "Damages" and is known for movie roles including "Fatal Attraction" and "Dangerous Liaisons," said the offer was too good to pass up.
"For me, anything that can move the science forward is worthwhile," Close said in a telephone interview. "It's pretty well publicized that I have mental health issues in my family."
Close, whose family illnesses include bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, is a founder of the nonprofit group BringChange2Mind, which raises awareness about mental illness.
New sequencing technologies through companies like Illumina of San Diego, which did Close's genome, have vastly reduced the cost of producing an entire map of the human genome, essentially the genetic recipe that makes up an individual.
Whereas the first human genome cost US$3 billion and took more than a decade to produce, Illumina charges US$48,000 for the kind of sequencing Close got. The company would not say whether it charged her.
Scientists say even newer technology will bring the price down to US$1,000 within five years, essentially less than the cost of an advanced type of X-ray called a CT scan.
Scientists hope having the entire genetic map of a person's DNA will begin to reveal the genetic causes of common diseases or determine a person's risk for genetic disease. Eventually, they predict it will become a routine part of the medical record.
And now American film actress Glenn Close has joined a handful of celebrities to have their genome sequenced in the name of science.
Close, who stars in the television series "Damages" and is known for movie roles including "Fatal Attraction" and "Dangerous Liaisons," said the offer was too good to pass up.
"For me, anything that can move the science forward is worthwhile," Close said in a telephone interview. "It's pretty well publicized that I have mental health issues in my family."
Close, whose family illnesses include bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, is a founder of the nonprofit group BringChange2Mind, which raises awareness about mental illness.
New sequencing technologies through companies like Illumina of San Diego, which did Close's genome, have vastly reduced the cost of producing an entire map of the human genome, essentially the genetic recipe that makes up an individual.
Whereas the first human genome cost US$3 billion and took more than a decade to produce, Illumina charges US$48,000 for the kind of sequencing Close got. The company would not say whether it charged her.
Scientists say even newer technology will bring the price down to US$1,000 within five years, essentially less than the cost of an advanced type of X-ray called a CT scan.
Scientists hope having the entire genetic map of a person's DNA will begin to reveal the genetic causes of common diseases or determine a person's risk for genetic disease. Eventually, they predict it will become a routine part of the medical record.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
