Vinome, a wine company based out
of Northern California, is pitching a
selling point that their wine can be customized and made to fit the customer’s
DNA. Although it may seem convincing that the wine company is capable of making
one of a kind wines for customers that send in saliva swaps that can be compared
to 10 different genetic variants. However, geneticist such as Dr. Jim Evans, a
medical geneticist points out that there is not enough information to explain
the genetics of taste buds. Human have different taste sensitivity to a variety of substances. The way in which individuals experience taste is determined by genetic mechanisms. Vinome is also promising that they will be able to analysis
each individuals fitness and athletic training, weight and nutrition. This is
also a promise the company has made that cannot be true because genetics
involves complex genes and environmental factors.
The
company argues that with their team of geneticists they are not completely off
track with determining what wines taste better based on genes for taste such as
TAS2R38. There was an experiment done with 500 people to analyses 40 genetic
variations. Each person taste different types of wine and fill out a survey
towards the end of the experiment that asked the participants what wine they
preferred. However, this did not convince geneticist because there was no
control group in the experiment. The Vinome company should not use genetics as a way to sell their product. Although the company has their own team of geneticist it still seems as though the company is bypassing evidence that their products can keep the promises that they pitch of determining the right wine for their customers.
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