Whole genome sequencing at birth might change everything

The National Institutes of Health recently funded BabySeq, a project to sequence the genomes of several hundred newborns and determine the utility of having complete genetic information from birth. Companies are now offering a bewildering array of genetic tests directly to consumers, tests that go beyond estimating your genetic risk for devastating diseases like Alzheimer’s or breast cancer.

Many genetic tests now cost less than a new iPhone, and Harvard geneticist George Church recently complained that too few of us are taking advantage of the information that genetics has to offer. The personal genetics industry seems poised to become a big part of our lives. But how trustworthy is this information?

Read the full, original story here: The Frightening and Fraught Future of Genetic Testing

{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.singularReviewCountLabel }}
{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.pluralReviewCountLabel }}
{{ options.labels.newReviewButton }}
{{ userData.canReview.message }}

Related Articles

Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer

Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer

Does glyphosate—the world's most heavily-used herbicide—pose serious harm to humans? Is it carcinogenic? Those issues are of both legal and ...

Most Popular

Screenshot 2026-05-06 at 2.56
Singularity crisis ahead? Can super babies save us from rogue AI geniuses?
Screenshot-2026-05-01-at-1.29.41-PM
Viewpoint: What happens when whole grains meet modern food manufacturing? Labels don’t tell the whole story.
Screenshot-2026-03-13-at-12.14.04-PM
The FDA wants to make many popular prescription drugs OTC—a great idea. Here’s why it’s unlikely to happen
Screenshot-2026-05-01-at-11.56.24-AM
‘Science moves forward when people are willing to think differently’: Memories of DNA maverick Craig Venter
S
As vaccine rejectionism spreads, measles may be taking a more dangerous turn
Screenshot-2026-04-20-at-2.26.27-PM
Viewpoint — Food-fear world: The latest activist scientists campaign: Cancer-causing additives
Screenshot-2026-04-03-at-11.15.51-AM
Paraben panic: How a flawed study, media hype, and chemophobia convinced the public of the danger of one of the safest classes of preservatives
images
The never-ending GMO debate: Pros and cons
Screenshot-2026-05-06-at-2.07.43-PM
Manufacturing a conspiracy: The timeline of how  the White House embraced the fringe claim that scientists are being mysteriously murdered
Screenshot-2026-04-12-135256
Bixonimania: The fake disease scam that AI swallowed whole
Screenshot-2026-04-30-at-2.19.37-PM
5 myths about summer dehydration that could damage your health — or even kill you
glp menu logo outlined

Get news on human & agricultural genetics and biotechnology delivered to your inbox.