So, you want to know more about the genes that make you what you are? Or, maybe youre interested in knowing what your potential disease vulnerability is by getting your genome sequenced? Well, you may want to think twice, or maybe three times before taking the dive. Costing fromseveral hundred to thousands ofdollars, theyre now sold over the Internet, and there are plans to sell them in drugstores. Some tests claim to provide personal nutrition advice based on your genetic profile. Usually all you have to do is rub a swab inside your cheek and mail it to the company, which will scan your DNA, looking for mutations and variations that suggest increased risk, and then send you the results.
Home tests have not been reviewed by the FDA or any other agency, unlike most physician-ordered genetic tests or other kinds of at-home medical tests. And, theres no data to indicate the take home tests are even accurate to begin with. In addition, the FDA has advised some home test makers to submit factual test based results, given that some companies are claiming to be able to devise health care plans based on an individuals personal genetic results, which can start to be borderline legal.
One problem is the overblown claims made in much of the marketing material. In most cases, theres no research showing that the results of the tests can help people prevent disease or lead to better treatment or longer lives. Government testing in 2010 showed that for every genetic test they evaluated, the results varied by which company was supplying the swabs, and each companies lab. In the end, the government indicated theres no evidence that any particular test is accurate or preferred, or even if the results are accurate, that andrecommendations made by the companies are true, accurate, or useful.
Moreover, no one (or even two) genes necessarily stand alone in the functioning of the human body,let alonein disease issues. It is the passage of time, the physical environment, the social environment, and a host of individual experiences and interactions that are likely to be as involved as any single gene.
Even if you have a gene or two that makes you susceptible to sugar diabetes, for example, by controlling your weight and exercising, those genes may never be activated. Alternately, you might not have a genetic susceptibility, but by having a dangerous lifestyle, you could still develop the disease.
dditionally, and this is true of more complex diseases, you might not ever develop a sickness because of other issues that develop through the course of a lifetime. This could mean anything from at what age a disease might begin; is it 50 for you, and 60 for someone else,and not until 80 for most people? And lets say a disease normally wouldnt show up until 80 years of age. What if you found out about a genetic predisposition for such a disease, but you only live until 77 anyway? You could have had a lifetime of worry and concern for nothing.
Although the science of genetic testing is progressing rapidly, and holds vast potential on an individual basis, its too early in the game to rely on, and especially act on specific genetic tests you may take. This is especially true for any at home tests.
In some circumstances, its reasonable to consider genetic testing, when its done in conjunction with a health-care professional knowledgeable in genetic medicine and by a specialized lab. There are a few cases in which genetic testing in a specialized lab could be warranted, and Ive spelled those out below:
Breast cancer: About 2 percent of women have a family history strong enough to warrant testing. If the results are positive, you should have frequent mammograms and other testing (such as MRIs), and may even decide to have prophylactic surgery.
Colon cancer: If you have a strong family history of this cancer, you need frequent colonoscopies to find and remove polyps. Genetic testing can be helpful in determining if you need even more frequent colonoscopies.
Excerpt from:
BY GEORGE: Is genetic testing for you?