3 Key Points to Consider While Doing Genetic Tests
Do you know how vital source of information is your DNA?
Apart from revealing your ancestry, your DNA is is the code that can reveal various personal traits like your vulnerability to certain diseases as well as behaviors like lactose intolerance and compulsive eating.
Genetic tests are getting increasingly popular when it comes to predictive medicine.
Pre-symptomatic tests help you become aware about your risks of developing genetic diseases, while even in the arenas of wellbeing, genetic tests have been instrumental in crafting personalized fitness plans.
But, there are certain issues you should be aware of, before selecting your genetic test provider.
In this article, we shall discuss about:
The Questions on Privacy You Should Ask
Lifestyle vs Health DNA tests
Deciphering Important Information
1. The Questions on Privacy You Should Ask
Genetic test providers usually inform you regarding their privacy clauses and it differs from company to company.
However, for the best interests of yourself and your family members, it is important that you ask your test provider the following questions:
Will the company do the test in its own lab or somewhere else?
How long is your DNA stored for?
Who will you data be shared with? Will it be used for clinical research ?
Can you request to delete your genetic information in case the need arises?
Your biological privacy is as vital as any other forms of privacy, so you need to mindful that your test provider addresses your privacy concerns related to storage and sharing.
2. Lifestyle vs Health DNA tests
Did you know that with DNA tests, you can not only check your ancestry and predisposition to genetic diseases , but also your sleep quality and gluten sensitivity?
DNA tests come in all forms based on your requirements and health conditions.
For instance, if you have a family history of colon cancer, you are almost at 33 % risk of getting the disease. So, in this case you would you like to opt for a DNA test that specifically analyzes your risks of getting the disease.
Incase you are planning for pregnancy, you would perhaps like to go for a Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT).
Similarly, if you are an athlete, it might be a good idea to test for your muscle fatigue or even your aerobic capacity.
For someone, who is more concerned about wellness, a comprehensive test that includes dietary sensitivities, endurance, blood serum levels and genetic risks could be a good fit.
There are various types of genetic tests you can opt for. Broadly, they can be divided into two categories : wellness- oriented and diseases-oriented.
Based on your own health condition and your specific requirements, it is necessary that you select the most suitable tests to get the best value of your investment.
3. Deciphering Important Information
Did you know that almost 99.99 % of our all human genetic information is identical?
It is only the remaining 0.01 % that is scientists are evaluating when you are opting for a test to trace your ancestry.
So, while you can be largely sure about risks profile related to hereditary diseases, when it comes to ancestry testing and wellness report, you need to decipher the information in context.
It is essential that you infer the numbers in context and take professional advice before coming to a conclusion.
Maternity and paternity test reports may not require medical advice, but when it comes to ancestry tests and other specific genetic test, it is highly recommended that you analyze the reports with professional guidance.
This can help you make the best sense of the your genetic reports.
Summary
Genetic tests are undoubtedly, one of the most advanced tools of predictive healthcare. However, to get the best value of these tests, it is necessary that you be mindful about the privacy concerns, your own requirements and make sense of the diagnosis in context.
References:
https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2012/issue127a/
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/dtcgenetictesting/ancestrytesting/
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/what-causes.html
https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/colorectal_cancer/lynch_syndrome.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3893900/
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