We would all love to stop the march of progress and slow down our crumbling bodily functions, but the technology still remains very science fiction. However a new system developed with the aid of Professor Christofer Toumazou at Imperial College, London, may offer a way to hold back Olde Father Tyme, at least as far as wear and tear of our skin is concerned.

The Organic Pharmacy Anti-Ageing DNA Service is a new skincare testing system which uses an on-the-spot DNA test device to analyse a sample of your saliva, and then recommends the optimum selection of skin care products to match your personal profile.

The system, called geneOnyx, utilizes a small portable microchip powered device to amplify and detect genetic signatures in the DNA using the ‘biological process of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)’. Translation? It can tell roughly how your skin will react to various ingredients in the creams, and which ones are best for your particular biological makeup. The test is run alongside a full lifestyle questionnaire, which provides further details of your diet, habits and other factors which could affect your reaction to certain products.

This is the first time that instant DNA testing of any form has been made available to the paying public, and we’re sure it’s not going to be the last. The possibilities for commercial exploitation are enormous, because as we all know, adding the magic words ‘genetic‘ or ‘DNA‘ to any product or service immediately adds several zeros to the price that can be charged.

The geneOnyx DNA Test takes one hour to complete, is completely non-invasive and costs £295.00. Following the results, the DNA microchip containing the genetic information is immediately and securely disposed of, ensuring that no genetic data is retained or stored. Which will be a relief to any ex war criminals or deposed dictators who’ve popped in for a quickie skin analysis. Who said privacy was a dying art?