Start - ups are driving down the cost of genetic testing by building diagnostic labs from scratch to cut costs , using in - house software and robots with 3D - printers producing custom - made results . Color Genomics has launched a breast cancer testing programme , which enables people to be tested for $ 50 if they have a close relative already diagnosed with a hereditary cancer mutation and its broad genetic screening test is available to anyone for $ 249 . Counsyl offers similar services priced between $ 350 and $ 400 . Despite some anticipated regulatory hurdles , once their labs are run full - time by robots , the firms say they will be able to offer even cheaper tests to millions of people .
Start-ups are driving down the cost of genetic testing by building diagnostic labs from scratch to cut costs, using in-house software and robots with 3D-printers producing custom-made equipment. Color Genomics has launched a breast cancer testing programme, which enables women to be tested for $50 if they have a close relative already diagnosed with a hereditary cancer mutation and its broad genetic screening test is available to anyone for $249. Counsyl offers similar services priced between $350 and $900. Despite some anticipated regulatory hurdles, once their labs are run full-time by robots, the firms say they will be able to offer even cheaper tests to millions of people.