Genome mapping

The ultimate check-up could become part of routine health scans within the next few years, offering us the chance to see the makeup of our DNA. Genome sequencing reveals the pattern of a person’s DNA and can determine how at risk they are of genetic diseases.

Actress Glenn Close has become the latest person - and possibly the first woman - to have her genes mapped. Close, who has a family history of mental illness, will sit down with a ‘genetics counselor’ next month to find out her results, or as much as she’d like to know. As only a tiny handful of people have had their genome sequenced, the process is vital to discovering more about the genetic causes of common diseases.

It’s currently a bit of a luxury at around $48,000 (£31,000) but technological advances at companies like Illumina in San Diego should snip that down to just $1,000 (£650) within five years.

What would it be like to know that much about yourself? Would you pay £650 to find out?

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