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The Star Trek Tricorder is Almost a Reality — How Will This Change Our Society?
Having portable diagnostic equipment is the dream of every practical scientist and medic across the world. The ability to identify and isolate specific pathogens or trace contamination sources on the spot has, up until now, been a thing of fantasy. Now, new developments at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has taken us one step closer to a hand-held tricorder of Star Trek fame.
The mobile genome sequence analyser uses Apple based software to enable the user free rein to sequence DNA without the need for heavy laptops or larger equipment in the field. The tiny DNA sequence device is made by Oxford Nanopore and uses iPhone app programming, allowing for ease of data sharing between users even in remote locations.
The lead scientists, Palatnick and Schatz, report that the iGenomics algorithm can map the DNA of viral pathogens such as flu strains, and even identify mutations within the sequences. While this marks the start of exciting health and treatment possibilities, of which I applaud, this is another example of science and technology outpacing the potential legal and moral responsibilities of using such a device.
If this new iPhone periphery were to be reprogrammed to sequence the human genome, what’s to stop unscrupulous rogues taking peoples DNA information…