deCODE Yourself into a Million Pieces, for Under a Kilobuck?

Yep, you can peer into your genetic code, without a medical monopolist’s permission slip required, for just under $1,000 USSA. The company offering this deal is deCODE, in Iceland.

deCODEme is one of those sound-bite web sites, where each page has barely a smidge of helpful information among the cool techno images and white space, so I’ll quote from deCODE’s press release, deCODE Launches deCODEme™:

deCODE genetics ... today announced the launch of deCODEme™, a pioneering service that enables individuals to get a detailed look at their own genome.

Through your subscription to deCODEme™, you can learn what your DNA says about your ancestry, your body --traits such as hair and eye color-- as well as whether you may have genetic variants that have been associated with higher or lower than average risk of a range of common diseases. This information will be continually updated as new discoveries are made.

Subscribers will create a secure password-controlled personal account. Just a few weeks after sending in a simple cheek swab, customers will receive expert analysis of more than a million key variants across their genome, accessible through an easy-to-use and intuitive user interface.

With deCODEme™, your DNA is in the hands of a global leader in human genetics. In more than a decade of pioneering research, deCODE has analyzed the genomes of hundreds of thousands of people from around the world, developing an unrivalled track record in gene discovery, in systems for genetic analysis, as well as data and privacy protection. deCODEme™ puts this expertise to work for you. The introductory promotional price of a subscription to deCODEme is $985. Starting today, deCODEme™ is accepting subscription orders and we will be soliciting feedback from these first customers to optimize the service experience. To learn more about deCODEme™ and how to order, visit www.deCODEme.com ....

deCODEme™ is a unique way to get to know yourself better -- from the inside out. Our genomes are more than 99% identical, but in that one percent are millions of tiny variations that make you unique. Through deCODEme™ you can take steps toward learning how your genome makes you unique, in the context of cutting edge science and in ways that are both fascinating and informative. You can learn about your ancestry, about obvious and potentially quirky traits, and whether you have certain genetic variations that are known to be associated with an above or below average risk of certain common diseases. You can even decide with family and friends to compare genomes and discover which blocks of DNA code you share. As new discoveries are made, you will receive updates and be able to check your genome against the breakthroughs in the headlines.

When you open your deCODEme™ account you create your own username and password and have full control of information and data comparison with your friends and family. You can even create an anonymous account if you wish. And if you have questions, you can consult with our experts at no additional cost. Best of all, you have the peace of mind of knowing that deCODEme™ is offered by deCODE genetics – a proven leader in the field. When your DNA comes to us, our expert staff analyze it and post it to a secure web portal right here at deCODE. Neither your sample nor any of your data will be accessible to or shared with anyone but you and those that you designate.

So, who’s game? If that price is a bit out of reach for you, what price would entice you to swab your cheek for a look at your genes? (There are two other companies that have just announced or will soon be announcing their offerings and prices; the couple of reports I saw expect their prices to be around a grand too.) If you did it, would you look at everything, or would there be some “don’t look” areas for you?