What is 1x Whole Genome Sequencing? 1x vs 30x WGS Explained

Learn the key differences between 1x and 30x whole genome sequencing (WGS). Discover what 1x means and which is better.

Understanding the Differences Between 1x and 30x Whole Genome Sequencing: Why 30x is the Standard You Should Demand for Health and Wellness

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has become increasingly popular, giving individuals unprecedented access to their genetic information. However, not all genome sequencing services are created equal, and understanding the differences in sequencing depth is crucial when choosing the right service.

Among the options available, 1x and 30x whole genome sequencing are two terms you may encounter. But what do these numbers mean, and why should you care? In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between 1x and 30x whole genome sequencing, explain why some companies may promote 1x as an appealing budget-friendly option, and provide a detailed discussion of the pros and cons of 1x sequencing versus 30x.

Our goal is to help you make an informed decision, especially if your interest in genome sequencing is related to health and wellness. Spoiler alert: When it comes to accuracy, reliability, and actionable insights, 30x is the gold standard, while 1x is a risky choice for those who seek more than just basic genealogy information.

What is Whole Genome Sequencing?

Whole genome sequencing is the process of determining the complete DNA sequence of a person’s genome at a single time. In other words, it reads the full set of your DNA, which contains all the information needed to build and maintain your body. This information can be used for a variety of purposes, from understanding your ancestry to identifying genetic predispositions to certain diseases.

The depth of coverage, often referred to as “sequencing depth” or “sequencing coverage,” is an important factor when evaluating whole genome sequencing. It refers to the number of times each nucleotide (the building blocks of DNA) is read during the sequencing process. In simple terms, it’s how many times your genome is scanned.

Overview: 1x vs 30x WGS

Feature	1x Whole Genome Sequencing	30x Whole Genome Sequencing
Sequencing Depth	Shallow coverage; each nucleotide is read only once.	Deep coverage; each nucleotide is read an average of 30 times.
Accuracy	Low accuracy with high potential for errors and incomplete data.	High accuracy with minimal errors due to multiple reads per nucleotide.
Completeness	Significant gaps in data, leading to missing or unreliable information.	Nearly complete genome coverage with very few gaps.
Health Utility	Not suitable for health analysis; unreliable for identifying genetic risks.	Suitable for clinical-grade health insights and genetic risk assessment.
Cost	Lower cost, making it more affordable for budget-conscious consumers.	Higher cost, reflecting the depth and accuracy of the sequencing.
Time to Results	Faster due to less data to process.	Longer processing time due to more in-depth analysis.
Use Cases	Recreational. Best for basic genealogy or hobbyist exploration.	Clinical-Grade. Ideal for personalized health and wellness.
Risk of False Confidence	High risk due to misleading or inaccurate data.	Low risk, providing reliable information you can trust for decision-making.
Future Reanalysis Potential	Limited; data may be too incomplete for future advancements.	High; comprehensive data allows for future reanalysis as research evolves.
Ethical Concerns	Often marketed without fully disclosing limitations, leading to potential misuse.	Clear communication of quality and intended use for serious analysis.

The Difference Between 1x and 30x Whole Genome Sequencing

1x Whole Genome Sequencing: The “1x” means that each part of your genome is, on average, read just once. This level of coverage is extremely shallow and, as a result, has significant gaps and inaccuracies. With 1x sequencing, there’s a higher likelihood of missing important genetic information or receiving incorrect data due to errors that aren’t caught by reading the genome multiple times.
30x Whole Genome Sequencing: On the other hand, “30x” means that each part of your genome is read an average of 30 times. This level of coverage is considered clinical-grade and is widely accepted in the scientific and medical communities as the standard for high-accuracy genome sequencing. Reading each nucleotide multiple times ensures that errors are corrected, and the data produced is far more reliable.

Why Some Companies Offer 1x Whole Genome Sequencing

At first glance, 1x whole genome sequencing might seem like a tempting option due to its lower price point. Some companies market it as an entry-level genome sequencing product for those interested in exploring their DNA without breaking the bank. But why is it so much cheaper?

The main reason is that 1x sequencing requires significantly less computational power, time, and resources than 30x sequencing. For laboratories, this translates to lower costs, which they can pass on to the consumer. Companies offering 1x WGS may target customers who are primarily interested in ancestry or genealogy analysis, where such low coverage might be sufficient.

However, the true cost of opting for 1x sequencing lies in its limitations, especially if you’re looking for reliable insights into your health and wellness.

The Pros and Cons of 1x Whole Genome Sequencing

Pros of 1x WGS:

Lower Cost: The most obvious advantage of 1x sequencing is its affordability. For someone who is purely interested in a basic overview of their genetic ancestry or for novelty purposes, 1x might seem like a reasonable choice.
Quick Results: Due to the lower depth of sequencing, results can be delivered faster than those from 30x sequencing.

Cons of 1x WGS:

Inaccuracy: With 1x sequencing, the risk of errors is significant. A single pass over your genome is far more likely to miss mutations or inaccurately read certain sequences. For anyone interested in using their genetic data for health-related decisions, this inaccuracy can be dangerous.
Incompleteness: Low coverage means many areas of your genome are not fully sequenced, leading to large gaps in your genetic information. Important genetic variants that could impact your health might be completely overlooked.
Limited Utility for Health Insights: Due to its inaccuracy, 1x sequencing is virtually useless for serious health analysis. It is not reliable enough for identifying genetic predispositions to diseases, understanding how your body might respond to medications, or making any meaningful decisions about your health.
False Confidence: Perhaps the most concerning drawback is that consumers might mistakenly believe they’ve received comprehensive and reliable genetic data. Unfortunately, the data produced by 1x WGS is often riddled with errors and gaps, leading to false reassurance or, conversely, unnecessary alarm.

The Advantages of 30x Whole Genome Sequencing

Clinical-Grade Accuracy: With 30x coverage, each nucleotide is read an average of 30 times, dramatically reducing the likelihood of errors. This level of depth is what healthcare providers, researchers, and geneticists rely on when making critical health decisions.
Comprehensive and Complete Data: A 30x genome sequence leaves very few gaps, ensuring that the vast majority of your genetic information is captured. This is essential for reliable health insights, including the identification of rare variants.
Actionable Health Insights: For those interested in personalized medicine or genetic predisposition testing, 30x sequencing is the only viable choice. It provides the necessary accuracy to inform decisions regarding disease prevention, nutrition, fitness, and medication response.
Long-Term Value: While 30x sequencing is more expensive upfront, it offers long-term value by providing a one-time, comprehensive genetic snapshot that can be reanalyzed as new research emerges. In contrast, the limited and error-prone data from 1x sequencing is unlikely to be useful in the future.

Why You Should Avoid 1x Whole Genome Sequencing for Health and Wellness

Given the significant drawbacks of 1x sequencing, it’s clear that this option falls far short of what’s needed for anyone concerned with health or wellness. If your goal is simply to explore your ancestry, 1x might be adequate, but for any kind of health-related analysis, it’s a risky choice.

The inaccuracies and gaps in the data make it impossible to trust the results, potentially leading to false interpretations. Even if the price is appealing, the information you receive is not reliable enough to be actionable. If you’re going to invest in whole genome sequencing, it’s worth spending a bit more to get clinically valid results that you can confidently use to guide your health decisions.

The Ethical Concerns of Selling 1x Whole Genome Sequencing

Another factor to consider is the ethical implications of marketing 1x whole genome sequencing. Some companies may promote this service without adequately informing customers about its limitations. Consumers who are not well-versed in genomics might assume that “whole genome sequencing” is always of high quality, regardless of coverage depth. This can lead to misleading claims, false reassurances, and ultimately, harm.

Ethically responsible companies should make it clear that 1x sequencing is not suitable for health analysis and should only be marketed as a low-quality, exploratory tool for basic genealogy or hobbyist purposes.

Conclusion: The Clear Choice for Health and Wellness

When deciding between 1x and 30x whole genome sequencing, the decision should be straightforward if your priority is health, wellness, and clinical-grade accuracy. 30x whole genome sequencing is the standard you should demand for reliable, actionable insights. While 1x might be cheaper, the trade-offs in accuracy, completeness, and utility make it a poor choice for anyone serious about understanding their genetic health.

In the world of genomics, you get what you pay for. The negatives of 1x sequencing far outweigh any benefits, especially if you’re looking for more than just a broad overview of your ancestry. For those who value precision, reliability, and comprehensive data, investing in 30x whole genome sequencing is the only sensible choice.

Don’t settle for anything less than 30x when it comes to your health.