🧬 Genome sequencing cost $100 million 20 years ago - now it's $299

To map a person's entire genome was a massive research project at the end of the 20th century, the Human Genome Project, with a total cost of more than $2.5 billion.

When they had done it the first time, the cost of doing it again was about $95 million, not even 20 years ago.

Since then, the cost has dropped dramatically. Under $10 million in 2008, and down to just under $30,000 in 2010. Last year it went below $1,000 and now you can order such a test for $299.

In other DNA tests only a small portion of the entire genome is mapped. Six hundred thousand parts, compared to six billion parts in this test, according to Nebula Genomics.

Whole-Genome Sequencing is also much more accurate because every letter of the DNA is read on average 30 times. This generates a thousand-fold more information that is also more accurate, enabling more comprehensive reporting on traits and ancestry.

The Nebula Genomics test is now available in 188 countries around the world.

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Warp News is run by the nonprofit Warp Institute, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden and Raleigh, North Carolina, United States.

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