Tute Genomics is piloting a new program and online portal on the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter this week through which it will offer whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing and analysis services directly to consumers.
[See the campaign]
The program offers backers the option to have their whole-genome or exome sequenced by Tute’s partner laboratories and be provided with reports that include information on actionable variants in their DNA as well as their risks of developing a variety of diseases. Clients will be able to access both their raw sequence and variant reports via the so-called Knome portal, which serves as the front end to Tute’s service.
“We believe everyone should have access to their genetic information to live healthier, fuller lives, [and] this is one of the ways of pushing that forward,” Tute CEO and Co-founder Reid Robison told GenomeWeb, explaining the rationale behind the company’s decision to launch the program.