I believe that reading our blueprints, cataloguing our own instruction book, will be judged by history as more significant than splitting the atom or going to the moon.
Francis S. Collin
Director of the National Institute of Health (NIH)
Government, Big Pharma, Biotech, and private industry are all vying for large sets of genomic data from your blood. The data will be used for research and drug manufacturing.
So fierce is the competition that your DNA has become the hottest commodity of 2018! Companies are now offering cryptocurrency, as the latest incentive in exchange for your genetic material.
Government and it's partners learned early on to offer disproportionate incentives when approaching you to provide unique data about yourself. In the past keychains, popcorn, and bookmarks have been offered to get you to turn over your private information to government databases.
When you pay to take a DNA test—through 23andMe, Helix, or Ancestry.com, for example, the company that does the testing OWNS your genetic data.
For the sum of $1000 Nebula Genomics will sequence your genome and supposedly provide you with insights about yourself. Using blockchain you are encouraged to share your genetic code with others and earn cryptocurrency.
With genetic data as a new commodity we all need to educate ourselves on the implications of surrendering our genetic code to anyone. The first thing we need to understand is that the Genetic Exchange is very new and that there are few regulations. Once your blood is out, you have opened Pandora's Box.
Companies such as 23andMe, Helix, or Ancestry.com can do anything with your genetic code. They are not subject to the regulations that agencies need to follow. Even agencies do not have guidelines in place for the genetic tsunami.
- Your generic material could be used to develop a cure, but you might have to pay a royalty or extravagant price for treatment.
- Your DNA could be exploited by various religious organizations or companies.
- Your genetic code could be altered, creating a personalized weapon that could be used against you.
- Once your DNA is in other parties hands it can be barcoded, and if genetically altered, can be patented.
- Traceability could be mandated for emerging Genetic Exchanges.
Traceability and You
As government agencies were ramping up to seize Americans DNA a program called Traceability was mandated. It was designed by global parties for animals. Traceability will be critical for the novel Genetic Exchanges even if your name is redacted out.
The first part of that program was a requirement of a country code for premises registered for the mandatory Traceability database.
The second part was electronic identification, which also included a country code.
In both cases, when the country code is used, it puts the government in first position on your land, your animals, and in the future, possibly yourself. Your assets become the governments and you pay for the privilege. It is foreseeable that someday they may own you.
The last part of the program is 24/7 surveillance.
In the age of One Health, for the purposes of international governance, animals and humans are one in the same, which means this systems tool is applicable to you.
Nebula
Nebula is the brainchild of geneticist George Church, PhD student Dennis Grishin, and graduate Kamal Obbad, all from Harvard. Mirza Cifric, CEO of Veritas Genetics, which offers a genome-sequencing service for $999, is a founding advisor.
Companies typically buy this data from academic institutions or genetic testing companies like 23andMe, often for millions of dollars. Nebula eliminates the middleman so that people can sell their genomic data straight to drug companies and other data buyers.
From their white paper:
“The pitch to the average person is that you’re not just monetizing your genetic data,” says Obbad, one of Nebula's cofounders. “We’re also going to provide you with insights, similar to what 23andMe and Ancestry.com do.” For example, Nebula will tell be able to tell you about your disease risks.
Companies will borrow and share your genetic code not own it. As with other cyber claims they say data is anonymous and transactions on blockchain are secured with the same technology behind cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
There are other companies who have platforms to sell your genetic material but do not sequence your genome. If you want Nebula services you will pay through Nebula tokens. Nebula hasn’t yet determined how it will distribute tokens, or whether it will have an initial coin offering. Nebula will be operating in the next few months.
You are are going to be hearing about all the benefits of why you should submit your DNA to the world, but nobody will divulge what the harmful consequences there might be, because frankly, they just do not know yet. We can speculate, but until model is released there is a vast unknown which warrants extreme care on your part to keep your most precious asset, your blood, safe.
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