Genomics in the AWS Cloud

CHAPTER 3Obtaining Your Genome

Unless you have access to a lot of expensive laboratory equipment and possess the skills to use it, the process of obtaining your genome will involve engaging a laboratory to take some of your biological material, extract the nuclear DNA from it, and sequence that DNA to yield a data file containing your genome.

Preparing to Have Your Genome Sequenced

As you think about having your genome sequenced, there are some things you need to know before you start.

Can It Affect My Insurance?

In the United States, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) makes it illegal for health insurance providers in the United States to use genetic information to deny health coverage or increase premiums. (Full details and exceptions are at ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/dtcgenetictesting/dtcinsurancerisk.) A similar law is in vigor in Australia for Medicare and private health funds. In both countries, however, genetic information can be used to increase premiums for other types of insurance, such as life insurance or disability insurance.

Most countries of the European Union (www.iuscommune.eu/html/activities/2013/2013-11-28/workshop9a_Goessens.pdf) prohibit the use of genetic information for increasing premiums or denying coverage for all forms of insurances: health insurance, life insurance, etc.

Privacy

Before you sign with a company that provides genome sequencing, read carefully the fine print in terms of confidentiality of produced genomic data. Some ...