personalized healthcare

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Today’s show:

23andMe's Anne Wojcicki joins Jason for a deep dive on genome testing and healthcare. They cover the dramatic reduction in genome sequencing costs from billions to just $99 (3:15), the role of blood testing and sequencing in shaping 23andMe's health approach (27:02), the curious case of the venomous Gila monster (42:09), and much more!

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Timestamps:

(0:00) Anne Wojcicki of 23andMe joins Jason for an insightful discussion.

(1:28) Exploring the impact of 23andMe and the trend of genome sequencing for proactive health management.

(3:15) Tracing the dramatic reduction in genome sequencing costs from billions to just $99.

(10:58) CLA - Get started with CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors now at https://www.claconnect.com/tech

(12:24) Discussing a pivotal moment in advancing our understanding of health and genetics.

(18:41) Strategies for integrating new health initiatives in the U.S. and international healthcare systems.

(22:26) House of Macadamias is the next big health trend! Get a free month's supply of Macadamia Milk with any order at https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/twist by using code TWIST20!

(23:54) Addressing the need for a paradigm shift in healthcare policies and incentive structures.

(27:02) The role of blood testing and exome sequencing in shaping 23andMe's comprehensive health approach.

(30:45) Embracing a holistic perspective in personal health and wellness.

(32:57) .Tech Domains has a new program called startups.tech, where you can get your startup featured on This Week in Startups. Go to http://www.startups.tech/jason to find out how!

(34:02) Emphasizing the significance of regular blood tests for health monitoring.

(41:55) A lesson in healthcare for everyone and the curious case of the venomous Gila monster.

(48:59) Connecting the dots between modern healthcare, science, and technology: A real-life 'choose-your-own-adventure'.

(52:39) Exploring the benefits of Lemonaid Health's acquisition by 23andMe.

(58:32) Anne Wojcicki reflects on her 17-year journey in the field and shares her vision for the future of health and genetics.

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X: https://twitter.com/annewoj23

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annewojcicki

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis

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Thanks to our partners:

(10:58) CLA - Get started with CLA's CPAs, consultants, and wealth advisors now at https://www.claconnect.com/tech

(22:26) House of Macadamias is the next big health trend! Get a free month's supply of Macadamia Milk with any order at https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/twist by using code TWIST20!

(32:57) .Tech Domains has a new program called startups.tech, where you can get your startup featured on This Week in Startups. Go to http://www.startups.tech/jason to find out how!

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Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

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View the Show Notes Page for This Episode

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Wendy Chung is a board-certified clinical and molecular geneticist with more than 25 years of experience in human genetic disease research. In this episode, Wendy delves deep into the world of genetics by first exploring the historical landscape of genetics prior to decoding the human genome, contrasting it with what we know today thanks to whole genome and exome sequencing. She provides an overview of genetic testing by differentiating between various genetic tests such as direct-to-consumer, clinical, whole genome sequencing, and more. Additionally, Wendy unravels the genetic underpinnings of conditions such as PKU, breast cancer, obesity, autism, and cardiovascular disease. Finally, Wendy goes in depth on the current state and exciting potential of gene therapy while also contemplating the economic implications and ethical nature of gene editing.

We discuss:

• Wendy’s interest in genetics and work as a physician-scientist [2:45];
• The genetics of phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare inherited disorder [5:15];
• The evolution of genetic research: from DNA structure to whole genome sequencing [18:30];
• Insights and surprises that came out of the Human Genome Project [28:30];
• Overview of various types of genetic tests: direct-to-consumer, clinical, whole genome sequencing, and more [34:00];
• Whole genome sequencing [39:30];
• Germline mutations and the implications for older parents [45:15];
• Whole exome sequencing and the importance of read depth [50:30];
• Genetic testing for breast cancer [54:00];
• What information does direct-to-consumer testing provide (from companies like 23andMe and Ancestry.com)? [1:01:30];
• The GUARDIAN study and newborn genetic screening [1:06:30];
• Treating genetic disease with gene therapy [1:18:00];
• How gene therapy works, and the tragic story of Jesse Gelsinger [1:22:00];
• Use cases for gene therapy, gene addition vs. gene editing, CRISPR, and more [1:28:00];
• Two distinct gene editing strategies for addressing Tay-Sachs and fragile X syndrome [1:37:00];
• Exploring obesity as a polygenic disease: heritability, epigenetics, and more [1:41:15];
• The genetics of autism [1:48:45];
• The genetics of cardiovascular disease [2:01:45];
• The financial costs and economic considerations of gene therapy [2:06:15];
• The ethics of gene editing [2:12:00];
• The future of clinical genetics [2:21:00]; and
• More.

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If you were to ask Siri, Alexa, or ChatGPT for medical advice right now, that would be a terrible idea. 

But with recent developments in technology, this looks set to change. AI has become more intelligent, wearable devices - more accurate, and personalized medicine - increasingly mainstream.

But is any of this safe? Should we really trust machines with our health? And will any of this actually happen?

In today’s episode, Jonathan speaks to Eric Topol to explore how artificial intelligence may transform your next trip to the doctor.

• Eric Topol is one of the top 10 most-cited researchers in medicine, the author of 3 bestselling books on the future of medicine, and a practising cardiologist.

Download our FREE guide — Top 10 Tips to Live Healthier: https://zoe.com/freeguide

If Timecodes:

00:00 - Introduction

00:11 - Topic introduction

01:53 - Quickfire questions

04:17 - Doctor-patient relationship

05:49 - Jonathan’s story with Eric 

08:02 - How has medicine changed?

13:54 - Is there an optimistic future for medicine, utilising AI?

17:46 - How close are we to utilizing AI-based solutions in medicine?

23:09 - Self-diagnosis and preventative care

27:05 - Is prevention possible through AI?

32:33 - Personalized healthcare

41:51 - Summary

43:45 - Goodbyes

44:01 - Outro

Episode transcripts are available here.

Follow Eric on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricTopol

Follow ZOE on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoe/

Have an idea for a podcast? Contact Fascinate Productions to bring it to life.

With savvy and health-conscious people taking control of their wellbeing through apps and sites, technology is meeting the desire for individuals' responsibility for their health. But is the day coming soon when doctors will be obsolete, replaced by computers that read our health-related data to treat us? We explore these questions and more in this classic episode.

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