Editor's Summary
18 October 2007
Common ground
A personal DNA sequence — as this week's cover story illustrates — is revealing yet frustrating. It could yield so much more useful information if we had the means of interpreting all that data. In a Commentary, Steven Brenner proposes the means: a Genome Commons. This is a public knowledge base of genetic variation and its effect, culled from databases, diagnostic labs and the scientific literature. Such a repository would be a vast resource for research, medicine and understanding ourselves. Continuing the personal genomics theme, autobiographies from two sequenced individuals who need no introduction are reviewed. And in a Special Report, Ricki Lewis looks at the growth of the genetic counselling profession.
Commentary: Common sense for our genomes
A personal DNA sequence is not yet practically useful. But it could be, argues Steven E. Brenner, if we had the right resources available to interpret genomes.
doi:10.1038/449783a
Books and Arts: A life worth writing about
Craig Venter's autobiography recounts the conflict and controversy that have contributed to his celebrity.
doi:10.1038/449785a
Books and Arts: Honest Jim talks manners
doi:10.1038/449787a
Naturejobs: DNA masters
As genetic testing becomes more common, the need rises for experts to interpret the results. Ricki Lewis reports.
doi:10.1038/nj7164-940a