A new company plans to offer $25,000 genetic health screenings for the super-rich
Venter's company Human Longevity, Inc. (HLI) has announced plans to launch a medical testing service that includes full genome sequencing, medical imaging, and machine learning to provide "the most complete picture of individual health," the company said a statement.
But it won't be cheap - each checkup at the new venture, called Health Nucleus, would cost $25,000 or $50,000 a pop, depending on the number of people being tested and the kind of testing they seek, Venter said, according to Xconomy.
The first Health Nucleus is opening in San Diego, at HLI's headquarters, and others are scheduled to open in other US and international cities in 2016.
Here are the services it plans to provide:
- Whole human genome sequencing will give a readout of a person's full set of 6 billion DNA "letter" pairs (most DNA tests cover less than 2% of your genome, according to HLI)
- Microbiome sequencing will measure the combined DNA of the microbes that live in and on the human body
- Metabolome characterization will measure the unique chemical fingerprints of the processes that occur in living cells
- A comprehensive body MRI scan will screen for anything abnormal and provide a baseline picture of health
- Other customized laboratory tests and screenings
According to HLI, "An experienced team of clinicians, geneticists and bioinformaticians curate these data and produce an integrated report that can inform clients' care."
But some people are skeptical of the testing service's motives. New York Times science journalist Carl Zimmer tweeted:
But Venter is optimistic about the venture's future.
"The Health Nucleus is our opportunity to lead the way to genomic health, enabling individuals and their physicians to pivot towards a more proactive, preventative and predictive healthcare future," he said in a statement.
As long as they can afford it, that is.