GigaOM comments on the business model of a new biotech company called 23andMe which has Google as one of its investors. The company name is a play on the 23 pairs of chromosomes that carry every individual’s DNA.

23andMe was co-founded by Anne Wojcicki, wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin. The company reportedly wants to help bring genome information to the consumers via a simple 4-step process:

1. You will send 23andMe a sample. It could be something as tiny as a Q-Tip

rubbed on the inside of your cheek.
2. Mail the sample to 23andMe and it will end up at Illumina (another biotech company) which will genotype it.
3. Illumina will send the DNA information back to 23andMe.
4. The information is going to be available via a password protected website.

The Illumina CEO told Forbes.com he already carries his genotype on his iPhone.

References:
Google’s Genetic Start-Up. Forbes.com.
Some Details About Google Related Genome Start-up, 23andMe. GigaOM.com.
Image source: 23andMe

Original post by Clinical Cases