The $1,000 Genome is a lively and deeply researched account of the race to offer a complete, individual human genome sequence to the public for just $1,000, and how it will revolutionize healthcare and personalized, genomic medicine. Since the conclusion of the Human Genome Project in 2003, scientists have been racing towards a grand goal: offering individuals a decoding of their com-plete genetic makeup for just $1,000. As Kevin Davies reveals in this exquisite-ly reported account, the $1,000 genome will be a reality by 2011 and it will usher in a whole new era of personalized, genomic medicine. Capable of pre-senting much more advanced information than the current crop of cheek-swab services, the $1,000 complete genome raises some extraordinary possibilities. We will be able to learn if we have genes that predispose us to a host of diseas-es, and to take a wide range of preventative measures. Drug companies may be able to create versions of drugs tailored specifically to our individual DNA. But we may also face the psychological burden of learning that we have the gene for an incurable disease, such as Parkinson’s. Acclaimed author Kevin Davies introduces the pioneers of this medical revolu-tion and probes deeply into both the medical benefits and ethical issues of per-sonal genetic testing, also exploring the psychological complexities of learning one’s DNA results, based on both his own experience of being tested and that of a number of others. The $1,000 Genome is an indispensable guide to the new era of personalized medicine.

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