Blockchain Initiative with DNA from Harvard Geneticists

Nebula Genomics will create its own coin and compete head-to-head with Ancestry.com and Google-backed 23andMe. George Church, a professor at Harvard and MIT, is doing something different from his genetic testing rivals.. It will monetize DNA by encouraging people to participate in genome sequencing by developing a token-supported system on the blockchain.. This system will allow individuals to hold DNA data – not the big pharmaceutical companies – to share it if they want, or to sell it to contribute to research work.

Nebula was built on Blockstack and is currently managed by Ethereum smart contracts on the blockchain. The Nebula ecosystem is run with the Nebula token, which is used to learn about individuals’ personal genome sequencing and related data.. Meanwhile, buyers of the data can access DNA data using these tokens, which they receive for fiat money.

According to Professor Church’s research, no other human genome company provides a service like Nebula Genomics can.

Solving a Biological Problem

The process of genome sequencing has many advantages, the simplest being family planning.. Whole genome sequencing could eliminate risk of transmitting a genetic disease to a child. Also, DNA research can enable people to take “preventive measures” to prevent liver failure or cancer, or even worse disease. trying to solve problems like “slow data acquisition”. Church says that with blockchain’s decentralized nature, low fees, and support for privacy, members can have their own DNA data without third parties. but not giving it to the individual – more like DNA companies and the pharmaceutical industry – is a way to monetize the data.

For example, an individual buys a DNA kit from a shop like 23andMe and 85% consents to sharing personal genome data for research purposes. it does. Individuals don’t just provide their personal data, they also give their property rights to the company, which in this case of 23andMe the company then sells that data for research conducted by the pharmaceutical industry.

Still, DNA testing has come a long way, million-dollar people its genome has been reduced from sequencing to only hundreds of dollars as the turn of the century. Nebula charges $1,000 for genome sequencing and $300 for exon sequencing, but says these prices will also drop as “DNA sequencing is cheaper” per company. It also brings opportunities such as prevention and personal therapies”.. According to the published white paper, when used for research purposes, DNA data “creates a billion-dollar genome data market for more detailed classification systems and new drugs.” draws attention to the open protocol that allows. However, it is not yet known whether it will launch an ICO in the near future.

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