DNA in access

Heard of 23andMe? It’s a a web-based service that helps people to read and understand their DNA. After providing a saliva sample using an at-home kit, they can use their interactive tools to shed new light on distant ancestors, close family and most of all, themselves. It is the first Personal Genome Service out there.

MEDIA ADVISORY: 23andMe™ to Hold Press Meeting at World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008

Complimentary Personal Genome ServiceTM to be Offered to 50 Press Attendees
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – January 18, 2008 – 23andMe, Inc., a privately-held personal genetics company, announced today that it will be holding a press meeting at this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos:

Date: Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008
Time: 10.00 – 11.00am CET
Venue: Belvedere Hotel (Promenade 89/7270 Davos-Platz), Salon Scaletta, during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland

Co-Founders Linda Avey and Anne Wojcicki and employees from 23andMe will be available to provide live demonstrations of 23andMe’s Personal Genome Service and field questions from members of the press. Fifty media attendees will be offered complimentary access to the service. Accredited members of the press are welcome to attend.

The Company’s service, which retails for $999 USD, enables individuals to gain deeper insights into their ancestry and other inherited traits.

The 23andMe service allows individuals to:

- Search and explore their genomes;

- Learn how the latest research studies relate directly to their genome;

- Compare their genomes to family and friends who are also 23andMe participants;

- Discover their genetic roots and find where they sit on the tree of human genetic history; and

- Give individuals the option to actively participate in a new research approach.

How 23andMe’s services work:

- 23andMe sends individuals a Spit KitTM containing a barcoded tube for saliva collection. Customers then use the enclosed mailing materials to send their samples to 23andMe’s contracted laboratory. The DNA is then extracted and exposed to a microchip-like device to produce each customer’s genetic data.

- Once the analysis has been completed, individuals will be able to use their own private login to access their data via 23andMe’s secure website. Individuals can explore their ancestry, see what genetics research means for them and compare themselves to friends and family members.

- Ultimately, individuals will become part of a community that works together to advance the overall understanding of the human genome.

It’s a bit out of this world for me. But I bet those journalists who get the free package will be thrilled to find out whether or not they are to victims to journalistic ailment such as Alzheimer’s or heart diseases.

Fever Saturday

I had a fever. It went away quite quickly. The temperature reached 100,2 at one point. After one paracetamol, one pot of smelly chinese herb tea my mother made, a gallon of water and four hours of whining, it magically disappeared.  Sorry for the uninspiring back-dated post.

Fever, go away and don’t come back!

Fainting Pooper is …

Girls in our family (me, my sister and my mother) have a unique medical condition called fainting pooper (or pooping fainter). My husband was the one who identified it. Whenever we have problem constipating (in the toilet), we tend to faint.

So our house has very safe-proofed toilets. No door and no sharp edges. I once hurt my head from knocking on the handwasher when falling off.

Whenever I have bad case of stomach pain or cramps, I bring my cellphone and a pillow with me to the toilet. Cellphone is to call somebody when it got really bad, and a pillow for soft landing.

I think our condition is still much better than one of my cousin’s. She faints whenever she is too excited. Yup … We are strange people …

Sorry for the silly post …

Andie is Sick

I am sick today. I was really sick this morning. I am feeling better now, but still not so great.

I have a disease called fainting pooper aka pooping fainter. It’s kind of disgusting.

Andie’s Detox Plan

I go overboard every two or three months. I eat whatever in sight. Fried, steamed, stir-fried, boiled, raw, baked. Anything. Easily I overload my body with harmful substances. So detoxification diet is needed to stop the body from getting the harmful substances and give it plenty of nutrients to actually speed up the elimination of old toxins and unwanted waste and promote cell renewal.

The detox diet is split into seven stages, so in a week-long diet, each stage will last one day. It is extremely important to follow the plan in the order because after the liquid stage, it is wise not to overload the digestive system by going back to normal food slowly.

Stage 1 – Liquids only

Water with lemon to neutralize acidity and stimulate bowels, freshly made fruit and vegetable juices, unsweetened spice / herbal teas and broth – made from vegetables simmered in water, the liquid strained and vegetable discarded

Stage 2 – Liquid and fruit only

High fiber food are used to help shift some of the decayed material in the intestines. Fruits with detox quality is apples, pineapple, mango, grapes and watermelon.

Stage 3 – Add raw vegetable

Beansprouts and fresh salad

Stage 4 – Add cooked vegetable and brown rice

Vegetables should be cooked for as short a time as possible to retain maximum nutritious value. Steaming and stir-frying are the best methods. Leeks and beetroot are good

Stage 5 – Add lentils, beans, nuts and seeds

Beans and lentils are source of protein but should not be eaten with rice. Mixing carbohydrates and proteins can slow digestion process. Nuts stimulate the flow of bile which in turn speeds up digestion system.

Stage 6 – Add grain

Oats and barley. Help to move wastes through intestines and trace minerals useful for the liver.

Stage 7 – Add fish

Extra oily fish like sardines, tuna and salmon.

We are what we eat. I am on stage one today. Cranky and hungry are the side effects. So, stay away …