Take 23andMe. I developed a fascination with the company soon after it was founded in 2006. Named after the 23 pairs of chromosomes in a human cell, it offers low-cost gene sequencing – giving you the chance to view the source code that makes you into you. It tells you things about yourself that you know, and things you don’t. I learnt that my genome suggests that I have wet earwax (I do) and that I’m likely to wake at 7.51 a.m. (actually, I wake up much earlier). It turns out it’s possible one of my ancestors was a Viking. I also learnt about my risk of developing diseases like Alzheimer’s
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