At Home Genetics Test

Good Idea or Bad Idea?

Sheridan Davis 11/20/2013

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At Home Genetics: Good Idea or Bad Idea? Introduction The advances in scientific technology have made astonishing discoveries in the field of genetics. There are companies, like 23andMe, Inherent Health, and Pathway Genomics, popping up that for $99 you can order an at home DNA kit and receive a small sample of your genetic sequence. At home genetic tests, can arm us with data about disease risk that we can use to help make lifestyle decisions (Hooper, 2013), which will allow us to take our health into our own hands. A genetic test is less time consuming and less invasive than a blood test or having an MRI. By ordering a test off one of the websites, you provide DNA a cheek swab or vial of saliva- and mail it back. After about a month you receive an email of your genetic analysis. Through 23andMe, your analysis will show a probability of 240 diseases that includes asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and Parkinsons or Alzheimers. There is also the screening for 50 less common genetic mutations, like cystic fibrosis, sickle-cell anemia, and drug sensitivities (Hooper, 2013). However, there are some things that will not be in the analysis and can only be obtained through certain tests given by a physician, like certain types of cancer, type 2-diabetes, and coronary artery disease. Pathway Genomics is a San Diego based company that offers screening through a doctor to determine your Fit Panel. The test is ordered, sent electronically to your doctor who interprets the results using a script provided by Pathway. Through 79 genetic markers and matched with data from population studies, the analysis determines food cravings, lower levels of various vitamins, and certain food sensitivities. If this information is taken to Equinox gyms in San

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Francisco, L.A., and Dallas they will help you put together a diet and exercise program based on your specific genotype (Hooper, 2013). Evaluation There are currently billions of dollars being used in genome research. With new discoveries being made daily concerning the relationship between genetics and personal health, traditional medicine is changing. James P. Evans, professor of genetics and medicine at the University of North Carolina, contends that, People should have access to the information contained in their own genome (Clemmit, 2011, p. 65). He also says that consumers need to understand the information provided by these testing companies is not always the exact truth. Although there are strides being made every day in genetics, there is still a lot more to learn. Evans explains that scientists are mainly still in the dark concerning the relationship between genes, environment, and health. There is much debate over whether or not gene testing is actually helpful to the general public and if they are capable of handling and interpreting the information appropriately. On the other hand, David Becker, Chief Scientific Officer at Pathway Genomics, disputes the current debate that consumers are not capable of handling direct-to-consumer genetic testing results responsibly. He maintains that as consumers we are capable of understanding and processing the information that the results provide about our health. The psychological effects of learning your genetic risks may make you depressed, but most people learn to deal with the news and go on with their lives, states Misha Angrist an assistant professor at the Duke University Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy. She also asserts that knowing your predisposition to diseases will put you in a better position to deal with what could be in your future. These results

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are just one piece of the puzzle in becoming and living healthy (Becker, 2011, p. 65). In spite of this, Becker does state that this critical information needs to be delivered responsibly with the guidance of a physician. This is not to say that everyone should jump on the bandwagon and order a genetic test off of the internet. Genetic testing is not an issue that is black or right for most people. It is a personal choice and should be made through educating yourself to the implications the results may or may not bring. Reflection The growing research being done in genetics is providing the knowledge of personal genomic information to help improve health. It could give the motivation to make lifestyle changes that otherwise you would not even consider. Nevertheless, it is a complicated process and not easy to understand without your doctors guidance. For a full genetic profile it can be very expensive, $100 to more than $2000, and possibly not covered by your insurance company depending on their policy (Genetic Testing, 2013). There are also no real guarantees; the testing only indicates probabilities of having or developing a disease, and there are health risks that may not show up. This may lead to misinterpretation of the findings and could lead to the wrong decisions about your personal health. Your family history already provides some insight of the disposition you may have to certain diseases. With the guidance of a primary care physician, you can determine a plan of action to become healthier without having a genetic test. I did not know until recently that there are genetics tests available to be done at home. There does not seem to be much harm in direct-to-consumer testing, as long as you take the test results with a grain of salt and understand the information is not medical advice, treatment or a diagnosis. The information provided is not always 100% accurate. You should be prepared and

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fully understand what the at home test does. The most important thing seems to be to inform your doctor of your plans before and after you receive your findings, so that they can help you determine any further action to be taken if necessary. Perhaps one day soon genetic testing will become routine and offered through primary-care visits as part of our regular check-ups. Until that day comes we already know that to be healthy we should exercise, eat right, and get regular health check-ups.

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Works Cited
Clemmit, M. (2011). Genes and Health: Is gene therapy for disease on the horizon? CQ Researcher, 54-57, 65-66. Genetic Testing. (2013, November 19). Retrieved November 19, 2013, from Genetics Home Reference: http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/testing?show=all Hooper, J. (2013). Crack Yourr Own DNA Code. Retrieved Novemmber 1, 2013, from Men's Journal Magazine: www.mensjournal.com/essential/print-view/crack-your-own-dna-code Ogilvie, J. P. (2011, April 18). Do-it-yourself DNA testing: A risk or a right? Retrieved November 10, 2013, from Los Angeles Time Article Collections: http://www.articles.latimes.com/print/2011/apr/18/health/la-he-dtc-gene-tests-20110418