BEIJING, Nov. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- The era of personal genomics came a step closer on last Friday with the launch of the first commercial service to give people an extensive look at their own DNA for less than 1,000 U.S. dollars, media reported Monday.

DeCode Genetics, based in Iceland, said its "DeCodeMe" service would tell subscribers whether they had genetic variants associated with many common diseases, as well as their ancestry and non-medical traits such as susceptibility to baldness.

Although personal DNA testing has been available for several years, it has focused on a few genes. DeCode, in contrast, tests more than 1m genetic variants. But the Icelandic company, which has a strong record of discovering disease-causing genes, will not have the field of large-scale genetic testing to itself.

For a 985 dollars subscription, customers will send in a cheek swab to DeCode. A few weeks later they will be able to navigate around a password-controlled website to find out as much personal information as they want. The service will be available in Europe and North America.

"We will include all the common diseases, including Alzheimer's," said Kari Stefansson, DeCode chief executive. "If, as a competent adult, you choose to look at your risk of developing Alzheimer's, that is your prerogative. But no one will force you to look at your Alzheimer's risk if you do not want to."

Stefansson conceded the system could be abused: for example, by a subscriber who obtained someone else's DNA by deception and then sent it in as his or her own. "If you want to commit a crime, there is nothing we can do to stop you," he said.

Craig Venter, the DNA sequencing pioneer who has analysed his whole genome in great detail, said he had found little useful information about his own health.

(Agencies)