Glenn Close is the newest person to have her entire genome sequenced, announces Illumina. Close's genome was sequenced to an average depth of 30 fold with a Genome Analyzer, making her the first "named female" to have her genome sequenced. At Genetic Future, Daniel MacArthur says "that's of negligible interest scientifically, but there's no doubt this will dramatically increase the public profile of whole genome sequencing."
"There is bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in my family, illnesses that, like other medical conditions, are thought to have genetic underpinnings," Close says in a statement. "As human sequencing becomes increasingly routine, my hope is that researchers will unravel the genetic aspects of mental illnesses to bring greater awareness about the diseases, de-stigmatize them and pave the way for more effective treatments."
Illumina adds that it plans to "create a social community for the education and exchange of information among those who have had their genomes sequenced."