That DNA is a dynamic 3D molecule is one consideration. The other (potentially much larger) consideration is that whatever the DNA instructs gets modified by untold (thousands? millions? billions?) downstream mechanisms that include untold interactions and feedback loops before impacting a health outcome. Sequencing the genome was a low-hanging fruit when it became technically possible but its significance was massively over-hyped. We have a very close parallel in brain research. We now have massive efforts to map "connectomics" -- the precise details of neural connections down to synapses and molecules -- even though every first year neurobiology student will tell you that the identical circuit will generate any behavior you want depending on the status of un-measured variables. So, while connectomics may be interesting in some cases, they will surely not explain how the brain works. Still, it is massively overhyped and -- big shock! -- attracts endless funding and diverts it away from potentially more impactful research.
I saw “Bryan Johnson” and immediately thought somebody misspelled the AC/DC lead singer’s first name (not that Vinay is a great editor of his spelling errors here 😉). As a GenX og, THAT Johnson will far outlive Mr.-I-don’t-want-to-die-Johnson. The delusions that money creates astonish me.
Genomes from healthy people are only useful in aggregate. When we identify places in the genome where no one healthy has a variant but sick people do, that's how we can start to deduce the shape and function of the lego object lol. But when healthy people believe that their individual genomes contain useful health information, they also start believing it's imperative to protect their personal genetic data. The people who get big genome sequencing grants exploit this fear and say they need to lock down publicly funded genomic databases with increasingly tight security measures. Back in the 2010s, anyone could download state of the art genomic data from the internet without a paywall--this was really great for scientific discovery and nothing bad that I'm aware of ever happened to the people whose genomes were posted anonymously on the internet. Now because of genomic privacy concerns that are stoked by the idea that your personal information is useful, the people who fundraise to assemble the datasets also get more of a monopoly on the data for a longer time, making the money spent on genomes less worthwhile.
I have learned from my 23 and Me that I am APOE3 (not APOE4 fortunately) and that I am insensitive to clopidogrel, should anyone try to put me on that. Can't think of much else it has told me that at this point has any use other than satisfying my curiosity.
That DNA is a dynamic 3D molecule is one consideration. The other (potentially much larger) consideration is that whatever the DNA instructs gets modified by untold (thousands? millions? billions?) downstream mechanisms that include untold interactions and feedback loops before impacting a health outcome. Sequencing the genome was a low-hanging fruit when it became technically possible but its significance was massively over-hyped. We have a very close parallel in brain research. We now have massive efforts to map "connectomics" -- the precise details of neural connections down to synapses and molecules -- even though every first year neurobiology student will tell you that the identical circuit will generate any behavior you want depending on the status of un-measured variables. So, while connectomics may be interesting in some cases, they will surely not explain how the brain works. Still, it is massively overhyped and -- big shock! -- attracts endless funding and diverts it away from potentially more impactful research.
I saw “Bryan Johnson” and immediately thought somebody misspelled the AC/DC lead singer’s first name (not that Vinay is a great editor of his spelling errors here 😉). As a GenX og, THAT Johnson will far outlive Mr.-I-don’t-want-to-die-Johnson. The delusions that money creates astonish me.
You have been guilty of committing irony on many occasions. You were kidding about the blood swap and red-light therapy, right?
No, he wasn't.
"Diet, exercise, medication, lose weight." So medication is the 4th pillar of a healthy lifestyle?
Brilliant writing AND brilliant commentary
Genomes from healthy people are only useful in aggregate. When we identify places in the genome where no one healthy has a variant but sick people do, that's how we can start to deduce the shape and function of the lego object lol. But when healthy people believe that their individual genomes contain useful health information, they also start believing it's imperative to protect their personal genetic data. The people who get big genome sequencing grants exploit this fear and say they need to lock down publicly funded genomic databases with increasingly tight security measures. Back in the 2010s, anyone could download state of the art genomic data from the internet without a paywall--this was really great for scientific discovery and nothing bad that I'm aware of ever happened to the people whose genomes were posted anonymously on the internet. Now because of genomic privacy concerns that are stoked by the idea that your personal information is useful, the people who fundraise to assemble the datasets also get more of a monopoly on the data for a longer time, making the money spent on genomes less worthwhile.
I have learned from my 23 and Me that I am APOE3 (not APOE4 fortunately) and that I am insensitive to clopidogrel, should anyone try to put me on that. Can't think of much else it has told me that at this point has any use other than satisfying my curiosity.