[DIYbio] Re: Start-up Fantasies

Back when I first found out about the DIYBio community I saw how inexpensive I could get basic equipment and materials and thought I might be able to start my own freelance DNA testing business or something.  You know, performing paternity tests, looking for genetic disorders in people with a family history, telling greenies whether their food is genetically modified... all for considerably less than what the big companies are charging.  I even worked out that I could get a thermocycler, centrifuge, electrophoresis tray, and most of the reagents for about a thousand dollars and the material cost per sample would be just a few bucks.  But then some people pointed out that malpractice insurance, establishing a clean lab, licensing, etc. would add several thousand dollars to the expenses.  AABB accreditation alone would be around $12,000/year.

Oh well, that's reality for you.  Probably a good thing that idea got killed prematurely, otherwise I might have even tried my idea of starting a company intended to spread Biotech as much as possible by enabling individuals or small groups to set themselves up as franchises or something.