Recently, Delian Asparouhov, a partner at Founders Fund, took a moment to check his genetics after some time. He accessed a dashboard provided by Nucleus Genomics, a startup financially supported by Founders Fund that analyzes saliva samples and correlates the resulting DNA data with a vast database identifying health risks linked to specific genes. Within moments, he discovered he was genetically predisposed to schizophrenia, possessed a remarkably high IQ, and had a risk for prostate cancer. “That’s unfortunate,” he remarked casually.
While Asparouhov’s response might seem indifferent, it’s indicative of the larger vision shared by him and the team at Nucleus. They envision a future where medical treatments are customized based on individual genetic profiles, where prospective parents undergo DNA testing before starting a family, or even a scenario where, as Asparouhov suggests, dating applications provide a “child simulation” feature that merges the genetic information of couples to predict potential offspring traits.
Nucleus is progressively moving towards this envisioned future. Founded by the 25-year-old Kian Sadeghi, the company has successfully secured $14 million in Series A funding, bringing its overall investment to approximately $32 million. Influential investors like Alexis Ohanian’s Seven Seven Six, Balaji Srinivasan, and former SpaceX member Achal Upadhyaya are backing Sadeghi’s ambition to make genetic testing accessible to all.
“DNA is essentially the ultimate health assessment,” noted Sadeghi. “One swab can provide insights into over 800 health conditions. This number will continue to expand rapidly in the coming months, potentially covering all known common and rare diseases.”
Nucleus’s advancements are made possible by the significant drop in genome sequencing costs in recent years. Back in 2007, the expense was nearly $1 million. Now, supported by a team of geneticists and PhD experts, Nucleus charges $400 to analyze a submitted saliva sample through a third-party sequencer, detailing various potential health risks. Sadeghi anticipates that within five years, “the cost of genome sequencing will be minimal,” and individuals will easily access “their genome on their smartphones.”
The inspiration for Sadeghi’s venture stems from personal tragedy. He faced the heartbreaking loss of a cousin who passed away in her sleep from an undiagnosed genetic disorder. This pivotal moment redirected his life’s focus. He left college and returned home, adopting a routine of waking up, meditating for an hour, brainstorming ideas for a genetic-related company for twelve hours, followed by another hour of meditation. “I genuinely believe in the soul,” he shared. “I’ve meditated every day for what I think is five years.”
This dedication over the course of a year led to the establishment of Nucleus, bringing Sadeghi into contact with some of Silicon Valley’s most renowned mavericks. He first encountered Peter Thiel at Hereticon, a Founders Fund event that celebrates controversial topics (Sadeghi remembers one particularly thrilling exorcist). It was an apt setting for their meeting, given the controversies that Sadeghi would soon confront.
Last year, Sadeghi introduced Nucleus IQ, a service that informs users about the genetic correlations with intelligence markers. He emphasizes caution with this information; the link between genes and IQ is complex, and genetics account for only part of a person’s capabilities, with environmental factors playing an equally significant role.
Geneticist Sasha Gusev questioned the reliability of Nucleus’s IQ assessments (prompting Sadeghi to publish a detailed defense), and others raised concerns that such tests could result in discrimination and social stigmas. Notably, Sadeghi’s methodology contrasts sharply with competitors: In 2018, 23andMe expressed to the MIT Technology Review its deliberate decision to avoid releasing consumer data on genetics and intelligence due to concerns about “misinterpretation.”
Nevertheless, Sadeghi and Asparouhov advocate for providing the average American with comprehensive genetic insights. Asparouhov finds the caution surrounding Nucleus IQ “peculiar,” arguing that if we readily acknowledge the genetic advantages of athletes (like Michael Phelps’ impressive wingspan), why not extend the same acknowledgment toward IQ? “Experts assert they know what’s best for you,” he contended. “However, I believe it’s more beneficial to offer consumers the available information and allow them to make their own decisions.”
As Nucleus continues to grow its customer base, Asparouhov believes the insights generated will become increasingly sophisticated, with the Nucleus dashboard automatically updating based on new findings. “Perhaps in the future, there will be a phenotypic reporting feature, where you could inform Nucleus about your blue eyes, brown hair, or participate in an IQ test, and that could enhance the model,” he suggested.
When posed with the question of whether linking attributes such as hair color, eye color, and IQ might resemble eugenics, he responded with a laugh, “I specifically said brown hair!”
He then mimicked a gesture similar to the one Elon Musk made during President Trump’s inauguration and added humorously, “My heart goes out to you.”
Compiled by Techarena.au.
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