Why the human genome could be health care’s holy grail

23andMe Co-founder & CEO Anne Wojcicki says we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg for human genomics and DNA research. “Look at all the explosion of all these new technologies with gene therapy, with CRISPR (CRSP), with RNA technologies and understanding the human genome,” Wojcicki told Yahoo Finance at the Milken Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California. Wojcicki says she’s ‘disappointed’ in the lack of progress around genomics, despite having just crossed a significant milestone, 20 years since the first complete sequencing of the human genome. “I think part of the reason is that genetics tells you a lot about what you're at risk for and it doesn't necessarily financially pay to get you that preventative information and to intervene in that way versus just treating people once they have a disease.” The 23andMe (ME) CEO also says they are looking into building new partnerships with pharmaceutical giants once the company’s partnership with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) ends in July. Interview
Highlights:
00:01:29 How genetics can tell us more about human diversity
00:02:20 Why 23andMe CEO is ‘disappointed’ about genome adoption 00:05:00 Wojcicki on 23andMe partnership with pharma giant GSK
00:07:15 Genetics needs to be part of medical school training
00:08:26 What’s next for 23andMe