For an initial $80, Helix sequences the most important part of the genome—about 20,000 genes plus some other bits—called the exome. That information is digitized and stored by Helix, which doles out pieces of the information to companies selling other apps through Helix. "It's our goal that someone will have a lifelong relationship with their DNA data," Thurston says.

Previously exome sequencing cost several hundred to more than a thousand dollars.

Helix was founded in 2015 with $100 million from genomics giant Illumina, is launching its much-anticipated online hub where people can digitally explore their genetic code by downloading different applications on their computers or mobile devices.