Glenn Close has genome sequenced
March 12, 2010
By Thomas H. Maugh II
A San Diego company said Thursday that it had decoded the complete genome of actress Glenn Close, whom the company called “the first named woman to have her entire genome sequenced.” Illumina Inc. said the process of producing a personal genome now costs $48,000 and takes eight weeks to complete.
Close, currently featured on the FX show “Damages” and star of the classic thriller “Fatal Attraction,” has been active in promoting mental health issues and attempting to remove the stigma from such diseases. She is a founder of the nonprofit BringChange2Mind, which promotes those efforts.
“There is bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in my family, illnesses that, like other medical conditions, are thought to have a genetic underpinning,” Close said in a statement. “My hope is that researchers will unravel the genetic aspects of mental illnesses to bring greater awareness about the diseases, de-stigmatize them and pave the way for more effective treatments.”
More: ‘Personal study’ shows gene maps can spot disease
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