As genetic screening becomes increasingly advanced and personal genomes become more commonplace, the potential for genetic engineering and modern eugenics is becoming a reality. “Designer babies” may not be science fiction forever, creating an ethical dilemna on the horizon.

Hsein-Hsein keeps us informed on personalized sequencing companies that are coming out, including 23andMe, deCODEme, and Navigenics, and now the first whole genome squencing company, Knome. The goal for some is to one day sequence genomes for $1000, putting it within the reach of average consumers.
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As a product manager, one of my responsibilities is to exhibit at various scientific conferences to promote and advertise products for genomic DNA extraction. Less than three months into the job, I attended the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) conference to promote a new product we had just launched for DNA extraction from blood and cells. After hours of talking to people about the features and benefits of my fancy new kit, a gentleman walked by my booth, looked at the demo on the table, and asked me to explain how it worked. Excited that I finally found an interested scientist, I enthusiastically went into my spiel, but as it turned out, I was the one who did most of the listening.

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