Whole Genome Sequencing

I never looked that much into it but it is read many many many times, you could probably get the individual sequences out of the bam of fastq with the right software

There is a way to do it. It is not one of my key focuses at the moment so I am not trying to get it done. However, I would think it would hit DTC at some stage.

A year ago I wrote a short piece about why I have not yet had my genome sequenced and why I don’t think it’s worth it for most people at this time. This may be of value to people here to read before jumping on buying whole genome sequencing tests. Here is what I wrote last year on this:

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Thanks @Olafurpall read the piece. I agree with you that we should not fall for hype about how much whole genome sequencing can help us today. But I do wonder if your pieces is a bit too pessimistic for going into mid 2024 and the next few years.

What’s your thought on this - Whole Genome Sequencing - #5 by Neo - even at this more conservative level it seems worth a few hundred to have one’s whole genome?

The 30x package is not searchable I believe. I got the cheaper package not knowing that I couldn’t search for a specific gene. They want me to upgrade, which involves a new sample and paying for the lifetime access again. I’m looking for a third party like promethease to help with my raw data, but I can’t find one.

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https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(24)00187-3?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2666379124001873%3Fshowall%3Dtrue

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https://www.cell.com/med/abstract/S2666-6340(24)00087-4

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too much marketting crap… upgrade this this… i got very put off… anyway even some of their predictions about my traits are totally wrong… for me it does not tell me anything. But I didnt get the WGS. I thought all DNA test are the same… I mean DNA does not change…


https://www.cell.com/ajhg/fulltext/S0002-9297(24)00120-4

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I used 23&Me, uploaded to Promethease. This told me my biggest risks and I was also able to tell that I did not have the risk alleles for several genes that I was concerned about because they are known risks for greater tendency to Alzheimers. I got enough information about the cardiovascular risks and the colon cancer risk to take action. Would be interested in more detail but not sure it would really make that much of a difference. But the two big risks were a revelation so extremely happy that I did Promethease. Might be good to start with Promethease as it is quick and cheap and a very user friendly data base with pointers to research.

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I actually got more confusing answers when I did the whole genome sequencing vs. the SNPs I uploaded the WGS (from nebula) to promethease, and it showed I didn’t have the apoe4 gene, SNP said I did… and it said I didn’t have the fox03 (SNP said I did). Also, it said I had a super rare gene that was suppose to kill me off by the time I was in my 40s… which after exhaustive research, ended up being a nothing-burger.

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Does anyone know how nucleus genomics compares with nebula? nucleus uses 30x (the same im sure) but they say they use american sequencers.

i have some signs nebula genomics is missing some variants b/c it isnt the highest quality…

Did you talk with the Nucleus group at the Longevity Summit conference when you were there? I did talk to them, and they mentioned they were partnered with Illumina for their gene sequencing: Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) | Explore the technology

I’m not sure what Nebula uses.

I’m working on a writeup on what Kian presented at the Longevity Summit on their approach and perspective. Will post in the next few weeks.

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So did you figure out if you are APoE4 or not? If so - how? This would frustrate me, personally

For now, I’m just assuming I am APOE4 (the 2/3 variant). But I should discuss this with a geneticist in the near term.

Have you been happy with sequencing.com?

I think sequencing.com is useful for updates as new research relates to your genome.

If you have multiple family members you can definitely negotiate a substantial discount (not advertised as far as I can tell) on your subscription fees to reduce the cost.

A caution on using Nebula. I used their 30x sequencing. The results were complete garbage. I’m a known carrier for Cystic Fibrosis - validated multiple times with specific tests validated for medical diagnosis. Nebula showed the Cystic Fibrosis gene as normal - all 30 sequences. Which means they’ll use someone else’s sequence for portions of their results if they have any problems processing your sample. Which makes all of the results completely worthless. You’re going to have to spend more to get a reliable sequencing result.

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A listing of current suppliers WGS:

As of May 2026, the landscape for consumer Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) is dominated by a few high-volume laboratories utilizing high-throughput platforms (like Illumina’s NovaSeq X or Ultima Genomics). Prices fluctuate due to frequent “seasonal” sales, but the following represents the most consistent low-cost options available for direct purchase by consumers in the USA and globally.

Top 10 Lowest-Cost Whole Genome Sequencing Sources (May 2026)

Rank Product/Brand Name Vendor Total Price (USD)
1 Low-Pass WGS (1x Coverage) MyHeritage $89
2 Essential WGS (1x Coverage) Nebula Genomics $245
3 Ultra Genetic Test (30x WGS) tellmeGen $299
4 30x Whole Genome Sequencing Nebula Genomics $299
5 WGS EDS Special Bundle (30x) Sequencing.com $365
6 Whole Genome Sequencing (30x) SelfDecode $399
7 WGS 400 (30x Coverage) YSEQ $399
8 Premium WGS (30x Coverage) Dante Labs $449
9 Premium DNA Test (30x WGS) CircleDNA $510
10 WGS Research (30x Coverage) Full Genomes Corp $645

Shipping and Hidden Costs Summary

  • Dante Labs & tellmeGen: These vendors typically offer free global shipping , including the return of the sample kit, which significantly reduces the effective total cost for international buyers.
  • Sequencing.com: Offers free shipping within the USA for most WGS bundles. International customers must pay for outbound and return shipping.
  • Nebula Genomics: Frequently adds a shipping fee (approx. $15–$25) and may require a separate subscription (Nebula Explore) for continuous report updates, though the raw data download is usually included in the base price.
  • MyHeritage & SelfDecode: Generally charge a flat-rate shipping fee for the kit (approx. $10–$15) and do not include prepaid return shipping for international orders.
  • YSEQ: This is a boutique service popular for raw data enthusiasts. Shipping is calculated at checkout based on weight/location, and users are responsible for the cost of returning the sample to their laboratory in Germany.

Scholarly & Technical Note

The pricing above distinguishes between Low-Pass (1x) and High-Pass (30x) sequencing. While 1x WGS is the cheapest entry point, it is primarily used for ancestry and common trait analysis via imputation. For clinical-grade insights—such as identifying rare variants, pathogenic mutations, or pharmacogenomics—a minimum of 30x coverage is the industry standard.

A significant knowledge gap remains regarding the long-term data storage costs. Many providers (like Nebula or tellmeGen) are shifting toward subscription models to access updated health reports, meaning the “Total Cost of Ownership” over five years may be higher than the initial sequencing fee. Additionally, many “low-cost” results are for educational use only and require a clinical confirmatory test if a serious medical variant is discovered.

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I’ve never seen Nebula Genomics for only $299. Every time I’ve looked you’re required to buy a subscription which raises the price. I got it from them for $408 a year or so ago.

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