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AAT Bioquest

What are the disadvantages of whole genome sequencing?

Posted June 24, 2022


Answer

The biggest disadvantage of whole genome sequencing (WGS) is that the process generates data on a large scale. The vast volumes of data generated requires additional storage capacity and more time to analyze. This increases the cost as well as the time required for analysis. Other disadvantages include:

  • WGS can generate a large volume of data, although most of the data could be misleading or useless.
  • It is also less efficient at predicting some conditions because there are conditions it is not screened for.
  • It may uncover information that an individual may not be looking for and does not want to know. 
Additional resources

Whole-genome re-sequencing

7-Deaza-7-Propargylamino-3'-azidomethyl-dGTP