This device doesn't do that kind of DNA testing. It is for PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), which is a method where you take a fragment of DNA suspected of containing something that you are looking for, and reproduce numerous copies of it, so that if present, there is sufficient material to detect. With standardized methods, you can then determine if a particular piece of DNA is present, and if so, quantify it. So, as an example, you can test a sample for the presence of HIV, by "cooking" the DNA sample with an enzyme that is specifically designed to attach to a DNA sequence known to be specific for HIV, then reproducing the enzymatically tagged DNA fragment many times over, adding an indicator that fluoresces when combined with the enzyme, and measuring the amount of florescence in the sample. If the DNA fragment that you were looking for was in your sample, it would fluoresce, and by using standard dilutions, cooking time, etc., you can calculate the exact amount (if any) of the HIV virus present in the sample - and thereby determine a quantitative value of 'how infected" a patient actually is (if at all)

It, however, does not do generic DNA analysis/scanning (as per the reference to the devices in GATTICA), nor does it do any sort of genome mapping. You have to know exactly what you are looking for, and have the corresponding enzyme kits to treat the sample with, to do anything.

I remember seeing PCR instruments of this size over 15 years ago, when I was working on my Medical Technology degree. This device is likely to be much faster, and have more bells and whistles than the devices of the past, but the technology is not new, nor is it the sort of thing that can be used without significant dedicated resources, reagents, equipment, and a lot of training. And... there are newer technologies than PCR that work better (in a device of approximately the same size for low-volume testing).

The Spartan DX was designed in response to demand from microbiologists because they often have 1 or 2 samples and want rapid yes/no DNA results for bacteria and viruses. e.g. do you have chlamydia or not?

Batched real-time PCR machines range in price from about $35-150K, with most coming in around $40-50K. Therefore, a price of $15K for the non-batched Spartan DX is reasonable as a complement to the batched machines.

DNA chemicals are coming down in price. You can order master mix kits online that let you test samples for about $3/reaction. It is now possible for motivated home hobbyists to build their own personal molecular biology labs:

http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=7854327

P.S. I work at Spartan Bioscience