Gene by Gene Announces Landmark DNA DTC Full Genome Sequence

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Gene by Gene, the parent company of Family Tree DNA, formally announced it’s direct to consumer (DTC) offering of full sequence human genome testing.

Testing will be performed in their state of the art research center, shown above, in Houston, Texas.  You can read more about Gene by Gene and their 4 divisions, DNA DTC, Family Tree DNA, DNA Traits and DNA Findings at www.genebygene.com.

Family Tree DNA was established 12 years ago to service the Genetic Genealogy market space, which didn’t yet exist at that time.  Family Tree DNA was an innovator in that field, and has brought the same innovative and entrepreneurial spirit to their other companies established since.

This new offering, the first of it’s kind, reaches out to researchers and others in need of “research only” next generation full genomic sequencing.

“Given the explosive demand for accurate, timely, and large-scale next
generation sequencing, we’re pleased to make our Genomics Research Center
available to investigators exploring the cutting edge of research to pioneer and
enhance treatment of disease, enhance quality of life, break new ground in
genealogical inquiry and otherwise advance the science of genomics,” Gene By
Gene President Bennett Greenspan said. “The launch of DNA DTC is the perfect
complement to our other divisions, through which we make genetic testing
advances every day in the fields of ancestry, health and relationship testing.”

Using the Illumina platform, DNA DTC will offer both full genomic sequence and full exome testing, adding these two items to their menu of over 200 types of DNA tests performed.  Gene by Gene’s lab has already processed more than 5 million discrete DNA tests for more than 700,000 individual clients.  Their institutional clients include the National Geographic Society’s Genographic project and other clients such as France’s Institut Pasteur, Israel’s Rabin Medical Center and the University of Utah.

By bringing full genomic sequencing to the public, they have broken the sound barrier in personal genetics, the veritable X-factor.  The full humane genome was first sequenced in 2003 at a cost of about 3 billion dollars.

A full genome sequence still cost about 3 million in 2007, but DNA DTC is offering it today for an amazing $5495.

While consumers will be able to order the full genome (or exome) test, if they want, it comes with no tools, as it is focused at the research community who would be expected to have their own analytical tools.  However, genetic genealogists being who and what they are, I don’t expect the research market will outweigh the consumer market for long, especially when the price threshold reaches about $1000.  For years the “$1000 genome” has been bantered about, and I expect with the next generation of technology, we may see it sooner than later.  The fact that it has dropped from 3 million to $5495 in 5 years is astounding.

Aside from DNA DTC and Family Tree DNA, the other two  Gene by Gene divisions are DNA Traits (www.dnatraits.com)  which provides CLIA Regulated Diagnostic tests for genetic diseases and DNA Findings (www.dnafindings.com)  which provides AABB certified paternity and relationship testing.

Way to go Max and Bennett and everyone at Gene by Gene!  Congratulations!

So, who is going to be the first in the genetic genealogy community to order this test???

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12 thoughts on “Gene by Gene Announces Landmark DNA DTC Full Genome Sequence”

  2. At this price, no way. However, once it reaches $1000 that could be the day. I feel this is a very smart direction for Bennett & Max to take.

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  4. I would like to see a list published that compares each companies return for the test performed. We have y chromosome, mitrochromosome, autosomal, and x chromosome. I’ve spent over $950.00 wiht one company and still don’t know the answers to all the dna questions. FTDNA’s six grand is a little steep. At Ancestry you can’t even download the results from the tests. At Ancestry after paying membership fee’s that are rather high you have to manually inter results from other labs, the excuse is that everyone tests differently! Precisely my point. There should be standards to refer to for realizing the best value for your money. FTDNA won’t perform the Geno 2.0 test because of a partnership with another company which is conjunction wiht another company to do the project and I don’t want to be associated with either of these companies because I don’t trust them. Do you see any time in the future of one standardized test. Even the haplogroup trees are being held hostage until it is considered appropriate to release the results. Those of us who payed for the information from other labs should be held hostage to the profit gaining ot the two aboved mentioned.

    Reply ↓

    • The technology is moving so fast that companies are leapfrogging each other when it becomes available. I don’t see the day of one test, nor do I think we want it. We’ve all seen what happens when one company gobbles up the competition and it hasn’t been good for consumers. The tree isn’t being held hostage, per se. There are over 1000 new SNPs to be placed since the new Nat Geo test has been on the market, and they have to have time to run enough tests to be sure of where to place them and how. In other words, the tree is in a state of flux right now.

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  8. i met a guy who knew how much Jewish, Basque, Italian percentage DNA he had in his ancestry……I know I am over 50% Iberian, but Iberian can be Moor, Jewish, Keltic, Gaul, etc…..you get the point……so, I still have no idea how jewish, Moorish Keltic or Basque I am……how can I get those DNA results that help me to understand what my true ancestry is

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