Hawking's DNA bound for space to draw attention to human genome sequencing

William Atkins
Wednesday, 24 September 2008 22:02

Science - Space

The Archon X PRIZE for Genomics is a competition that will award US$10 million to the first person or team that can sequence one hundred human genomes within ten days or less.
 
Hawking stated in the X PRIZE article that he would much rather send his completely sequenced genome into space but scientists are currently unable to perform such a full genome sequencing at a low cost.

He hopes to “… highlight the need for inexpensive, fully sequenced human genomes so that scientists and doctors can begin to better understand ways to identify, treat and prevent disease.”

Dr. Hawking also states on the Archon X PRIZE website, “You may know that I am suffering from what is known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's Disease, which is thought to have a genetic component to its origin. It is for this reason that I am a supporter of the $10M Archon X PRIZE for Genomics to drive rapid human genome sequencing."

He concludes, "This prize and the resulting technology can help bring about an era of personalized medicine. It is my sincere hope that the Archon X PRIZE for Genomics can help drive breakthroughs in diseases like ALS at the same time that future X PRIZEs for space travel help humanity to become a galactic species."