I've been fascinated for a long time about all that is being learned about the microbes in our guts and the influence they have on our health, as well as how our diets may encourage certain microbes and discourage others. (Gut microbes can produce vitamins and other substances that benefit our health.) Now there is an opportunity both find out about what is in your gut and contribute to science at the same time. The American Gut project at the University of Colorado is crowd-sourcing a large analysis as part of the Human Microbiome Project, and they are looking for people who eat a wide variety of different diets. They are looking for people who are both willing to participate and to donate money to offset the costs of the analysis, and they are hoping to hit their target within a week from today (I found out about this late into the process). The cost is $99 per kit (less if you order multiple kits), although Type 2 diabetics can apply to receive free kits. Interested? Check out their Web site for all the details.
Photo © Eraxion
It is my understanding that participants will not get feedback re their ‘donation’. Which is fine. That is certainly not a reason not to participate. But I must admit that I changed my mind when I read that participants will not get feedback. That’s a lot of money (for me).
Fran – I am participating in this. According to the website, participants will indeed receive a certificate with a readout of the microbes found in their sample, as well as a view of their microbes in the context of other participants. I think you may have been misinformed.