When the X-ray was invented, people clamored to get one. Not for any medical reason, but just to see what was typically hidden inside their bodies.
Something like that seems to be happening with DNA sequencing technology. First it was companies offering to sequence people’s genomes. Now it’s learning all about your microbiome, the collection of microorganisms living on and in your body.
People’s fascination with their inner workings may provide a new way for scientists to raise money for basic research. Just ask the folks at uBiome and American Gut.
Both are basic science projects aimed at understanding how microbiomes influence health. And in return for funding from individuals, both will provide donors with an analysis of the bacteria in their very own digestive track.
Using the Internet to crowd fund, the uBiome and American Gut projects have together raised more than $600,000.
Read More at Southern California Public Radio
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