Ok, think back to your 10th grade science class. Do you remember reading about a Dr. James Watson? You know, Watson and Crick? The guys who discovered the double helix shape of our DNA? Sigh. Never mind. Just know that Dr. Watson is rather well-known for his work in the stuff that makes you who you are (and, no, we're not talking about your irregular bathing habits).
Recently, a Swiss man paid $350,000 to have his DNA sequenced. The New York Times talked to him about why he would pay such a high price. "I'd rather spend my money on my genome than a Bentley or an airplane," the man said. Okay, but to us car guys, this is nonsensical. Our DNA doesn't have 550 horsepower, nor can it provide the instant gratification said ponies summon up when our brains send the appropriate signal to our right feet.
Now, back to our Dr. Watson. Last year, a company donated $1.5 million to pay for the sequencing of his DNA. The New York Times was again on the case and asked him about it. "I was in someone's Bentley once - nice car," Watson said. "Would I rather have my genome sequenced or have a Bentley? Uh, toss up."
That's what we're talking about! Drive the Bentley, doc! Get yourself a Continental GT, mount that Nobel on the radiator and just drive until you can't even remember what deoxyribose nucleic acid is. In the NYT article, Dr. Watson continues to say he hopes DNA sequencing will some day come down in price from Bentley to Chevy so that everyone can afford to know their genetic makeup. If that ever happens, we'll still say, "Take the Vette!"
[Source: The New York Times]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
stang_fan @ Mar 8th 2008 10:51AM
Two thoughts about the individuals mentioned in the story:
1.) they BOTH illustrate the point that not ALL folks are "car" people, not even all MEN are car people.
2.) A car you or I may think is the re-invention of the wheel or heaven on wheels with an engine....may not be what someone else considers to be auto nirvana.
Whitie @ Mar 8th 2008 10:52AM
Must be nice to have so much money to waste (I'm speaking about the Bentely of course). /sarcasm
Carlos @ Mar 8th 2008 11:13AM
What are the benefits of knowing your genetic make up?
Yar @ Mar 8th 2008 12:12PM
I'm wondering the exact same thing. I don't think it does anything. It's like a treasure map with no directions.
lithdoc @ Mar 8th 2008 1:28PM
Absolutely none. You will get a paper with 3 billion base pairs that say ACGTTGCACTGATTTTACG and so on. Usefulness? None. Nowadays they also do the whole genome SNP analysis, which is probably what he is getting done. It pretty much tests the variations of your DNA as compared to a control DNA. Even then, you may find it useless, unless you care about things like "your chances of getting diabetes are 10% higher, so eat healthier foods."
wormyguy @ Mar 8th 2008 10:34PM
Creating a cancer vaccine, figuring out how to stop aging, curing baldness, making every child above average, etc. Although these examples are far out, they could potentially happen through DNA research. I'd still take the Bentley, for now.
James @ Mar 8th 2008 11:26AM
I too someday hope I can trade in my convertible Corvette for my own DNA sequencing!
Papi L-Gee @ Mar 8th 2008 11:42AM
Two things:
1) The Swiss guy could probably afford both the DNA sequencing AND the Bentley.
2) Unless something has changed, I'm pretty sure they still call it "deoxyribonucleic" acid.
jurm @ Mar 8th 2008 12:25PM
Who benefits from having the guy's entire genome sequenced? Just about everyone. What many don't realize is that the only "complete" human genome we have access to is that of Craig Venter. Watson had his sequenced, but hasn't released the sequence to the public.
True, a lot of people have been sequenced for very specific genes, but as far as I know, there's only one complete sequence available (and even that one has certain sequences missing). So, why should we care? We care because so much of our understanding of genetics and biology hinges on it. Personalized medicine hinges on it.
In comparison, who benefits from a Bentley? A handful of drivers (if that many) and a few workers.
MajorGeek @ Mar 8th 2008 12:27PM
I thought the same thing as some of you at first, then followed the Wikipidea artcle and realized hes almost 80 years old. Not a lot of 80 year olds are driving around in 500 horsepower cars, at least that I see. I dont think ill be climbing in and out of my Viper at 80, its not a picnic now with the top on lol. I'll be popping viagra and enjoying what time I have left. Wish me luck!
Mr K @ Mar 8th 2008 2:02PM
That's ridiculous, either that or this article is REALLY old. DNA sequencing doesn't cost that much any more.
23andMe allow you to do it at home .. well not quite but close enough. With $1000 head over to https://www.23andme.com/ and you can get your DNA sorted out.
Although I do wonder, is 23andMe a Kia while the $350 000 dna sequencing is your Bently?
jurm @ Mar 8th 2008 2:55PM
the big difference is that 23andme isn't a complete genome. It's an affymetrix chip sequencing technique that targets a few specific sequences and looks for homology with known SNP sequences. It's cheap and quick, but it's far removed from a full sequence. The data provided by both is totally different.
To use an automotive analogy. The 23andMe technique is like shopping for a car using a checklist. It has 4 doors, 4 wheels, an engine etc... If the item isn't on the list, it won't show up at all. What this guy is doing is much more akin to shopping for a car by comparing the blueprints and construction materials, and then consulting with engineers. Yeah, the analogy sucks, but my brain refuses to do a whole lot of thinking on the weekends.