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Google Wants to Index Your DNA, Too

businessweek.com — The Web search giant's investment in Navigenics is further proof it wants an early stake in direct-to-consumer genetic screening

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  • 1randomguyO8, on 04/22/2008, -11/+8Google can index my knob
  • nickcozy, on 04/22/2008, -9/+4This is a joke right,i've read similar stories from propaganda right wing press.
  • vyasram, on 04/22/2008, -8/+3those guys are gonna index every single atom out there in this universe. go google.
  • EBFoxbat, on 04/22/2008, -10/+6Google can index my DNA but I'd prefer they didn't use spiders.
    • Natnie, on 04/22/2008, -0/+3Why are people digging this down? It's classic!
  • svensko, on 04/22/2008, -9/+2DNA is a myth. Right?
  • Dested, on 04/22/2008, -1/+11I sure as hell aint gonna exists anywhere else in 2000 years.
  • spacecheese, on 04/22/2008, -8/+4BrB, gotta squirt a sample on a post-it and priority mail...
  • tarley, on 04/22/2008, -3/+9You can imagine what will happen when they accidentally release DNA search data from Google Labs that can be linked to individuals - health insurance nightmare!
    • adidos, on 04/22/2008, -0/+4This is Google we are talking about, not AOL ;)
  • zohaibusman, on 04/22/2008, -1/+10Google's interest in DNA doesn't end there. It is also putting money into a second Silicon Valley DNA-screening startup, Navigenics.
    The company is also backed by star venture capital firm Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers. For a spit of saliva and $2,500, your genetic test results are securely delivered to your computer screen with your genetic likelihood for 18 medical conditions, from Alzheimer's to rheumatoid arthritis to several types of cancer.
    • specialK16, on 04/22/2008, -0/+1That's really cool actually. Knowing that you are particularly in risk of specific diseases.... I want.
  • aajjcckk, on 04/22/2008, -8/+10Bear in mind when you read this that Google was part funded with CIA seed money (through an intermediary company), has "ex" senior CIA members on it's board, and the recent news stories about it supplying search technology to various spook etc. agencies.

    I'm just saying be on your guard. I remember the Microsoft "NSA Key" in Windows debacle and I suspect lessons will have been learned from this - i.e. if you're linking consumer tech with the spooks, hide your tracks well, or make any involvement seem all innocent.
  • JeffLongoria, on 04/22/2008, -1/+7when will the DNA library open?
    • nads, on 04/22/2008, -1/+1After an extensive period in a beta phase?
  • seano2101, on 04/22/2008, -8/+3can there be any doubt now that google is evil? Why would any company want to store such massive amounts of wide and varied data.
    • netdroid9, on 04/22/2008, -0/+5...So, you know, you can google it?
  • chrillen, on 04/22/2008, -3/+3fuggedaboudit
  • nads, on 04/22/2008, -8/+3Google can kiss my ass.
  • lollypopz, on 04/22/2008, -6/+16………../´¯/)
    ………,/¯../
    ………/…/
    …./´¯/.’…/´¯¯·¸
    ../’/…./…./…./¨¨/¯
    (’(….´….´…..¯;/’…’)
    .……………..’…../
    .’'………….._.·´
    ……………..(
    index that
    ...d'oh
  • cutekelvins, on 04/22/2008, -3/+3can I hack your DNA.
  • ricooldol, on 04/22/2008, -6/+0this is a deep digg, maybe too far. Why do they have to do so much research when people need jobs so bad...
    • Anonchrist, on 04/22/2008, -1/+2Researching is a job.... BTW scientific breakthroughs make society more efficient and that is why people pay for the service.
  • Krissam, on 04/22/2008, -1/+11http://dna.google.com/search?q=nymphomaniac+women& ...
    • ricooldol, on 04/22/2008, -0/+0awe man, i wanted to see... that sounds fun. Interesting to see how the nature and nurture help each other balance. Sounds quite interesting
    • Zaggynl, on 04/22/2008, -0/+1:D
    • abuelos84, on 04/22/2008, -0/+1Am I the only one who actually expected the link to work?
      (I have to control those dark desires, man...)
  • D4CH, on 04/22/2008, -2/+2I thought "Cool, they can have mine, just for the fun of it." untill I saw that I had to pay $2.500 õ,õ
  • nekteo, on 04/22/2008, -2/+7i love google, but i think they are getting evil...
  • threemagic, on 04/22/2008, -1/+5Google has helped me lose DNA in the past...
  • RubineBoy, on 04/22/2008, -3/+3I must say that I find this whole thing very disturbing if it's real. DNA data must at all time being kept secret. So certainly not stored in a huge database that can be sold to anyone that pays enough. DNA data can be seen as the most private data in the world, it's more important then the data to your bank account. A lot of people may not realize this but DNA data can let you loose your job, insurance, refuse access, ...
    I don't want anyone to even have my data. It's mine and it stays mine. No snuffing around.
    • synaesthesia, on 04/22/2008, -0/+2Dont ever drop any skin molecules or hair strands.
      • RubineBoy, on 04/22/2008, -1/+2That's why I will be wearing a tinfoil hat from now ...
        • abuelos84, on 04/22/2008, -0/+1or wrap yourself in plastic like a paranoid condom
    • vagabond45, on 04/22/2008, -0/+2They started databasing prisoners years ago. Now some states check their DNA database before paroling anyone. I KNEW this would be the next step. Pretty soon, Hitler will be back again, only worse. Eugenics at its best. Should have known when google has pictures of everyone's house. This is the logical next step. Everything inside the house.
    • tuh2, on 04/22/2008, -0/+1Oh yes lets all keep it a secret. Google has money google could index thousands of DNA's (kept secret to avoid anybody losing their job) and search for cancer cures. The drug companies wont do it because they wont make money off of it.
      Btw your DNA falls off you all the time and its not a secret.
  • lollypopz, on 04/22/2008, -1/+1Gattaca.
  • Notyavgkat, on 04/22/2008, -5/+1while they're at it, why don't they just tattoo 666 on our foreheads, and put bar codes on the back of our necks.....me personally , it's not gonna happen!!!!!!!!!!! U gotta KILL me first
    • abuelos84, on 04/22/2008, -0/+2or take some hair from your head...
  • ee80, on 04/22/2008, -4/+18=========D

    index this too

  • insomniacal, on 04/22/2008, -0/+4The problem with Google isn't their intentions, it's their lack of appreciation for the malicious intentions of others. Google may not be evil, but others are -- and by collecting and storing such information about us, Google tempts others to steal our data.

    Even if Bush were honorable in his actions, his assumption of unconstitutional powers would set up the nation for abuse by successors. Same with Google. "Trust me" doesn't cut it.
  • knigitz, on 04/22/2008, -0/+0I think this is a great idea. Imagine the social networking possibilities, being able to search for people who you are most genetically compatible with, searching for lost siblings or distant family. Could we get a family-tree view, as well? On second thought, this is scary.
  • JointVenture, on 04/22/2008, -1/+1Google, Branson, Gore, Obama, the world is getting spooky.
  • Yage2006, on 04/22/2008, -0/+1Nothing to worry about unless you are a variant 13.
  • kiedesu, on 04/22/2008, -0/+1if they use my information to do good things, such as researching or improving medicide, i am willing to give them my dna.
  • RationalXubrnce, on 04/22/2008, -0/+1 Can you search your own genome?

    Search for intelligence gene:

    No standard genetic sequences containing all your search terms were found.

    Your search - intelligence gene - did not match any markers.

    :(
  • hendriks, on 04/22/2008, -0/+2Note that Anne Wojcicki, co-founder and member of the board of directors of 23andMe (one of the DNA companies Google has invested in), is married to Sergey Brin, Google’s president of technology and company co-founder.

    That could explain the interest... It's the wife's hobby.
  • dwalker, on 04/22/2008, -0/+1Fantastic! NOT.
    Hey, they can index my excrement and put that on the web then there will be even more crap we can search through!!
    • loudog40, on 04/22/2008, -0/+1What is wrong with you people? Do you even know why you're so opposed? This kind of stuff can be extremely advantageous for your health, and it's not like it's going to be made public for everyone to view.
  • paulj4444, on 04/22/2008, -1/+0And rememeber Google's mantra is "Don't be evil" as noted in their code of conduct:

    http://investor.google.com/conduct.html

    So, I am sure we would have absolutely nothing to worry about! LOL
  • Natnie, on 04/22/2008, -0/+1You know I probably would give my DNA, because I have two unrelated genetic conditions (11 toes and intersexed) and I would probably have DNA of interest to researchers. Then again, that would remove my ability to commit a crime and have CSI looking for a man while I sit back and not be a suspect because I'm phenotypically female. Oops, now that I've released this information my chances of doing that are now ruined anyway.
  • rpebble, on 04/22/2008, -0/+2An article talking about this hit the front page 3 months ago... http://digg.com/educational/The_Shocking_Truth_Beh ... ... This is dumb, it's not like google would be able to do this without anyone realizing it, stop freaking out people.
  • Amazetbm, on 04/22/2008, -1/+1Next thing you know, you'll get a cease and desist letter from some pharmaceutical company who has a patent on your DNA pattern.
  •  

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