DNA test kits from companies like 23andMe and Ancestry.com have become commonplace at drugstores around the nation during the last several years. These autosomal DNA test kits, which vary in price from approximately $60 to $100, appeal to the curiosity in many of us, whether you want to learn more about your family history, understand your risk for certain illnesses, or find unidentified relatives. There are specific considerations; however, before swabbing and sending in your DNA sample, advise academic members at California State University who specialize in genetics and genealogy.
These Tests Will Reveal Only Some Of Your Genetic Information. Not Yet, At Least.
According to Jason Bush, Ph.D., an associate professor of biology at California State University, Fresno, “You can’t sequence a human genome for $100.” According to Dr. Bush, it used to cost more than $10,000 to sequence a person’s complete genome, which entails figuring out the sequence of DNA bases that make up their genetic makeup.
However, Greene claims that the findings are pretty accurate when your DNA is compared to a database to locate a familial connection. The persons with a genetic match with you could be informed about a potential biological family match if you agree to let the testing business disclose your identity or alias to them.
Make Good Use Of Any Test-Related Information You Are Given.
The Food & Drug Administration has granted 23andMe permission to provide reports on genetic health risks and carrier status in addition to ancestry information. Bush advises that such information should be regarded with care since risk does not equate to illness and false positives (in this example, when you are informed that your chance for a disease is more significant when it is not) are frequent. Greene continues by advising customers to take any findings to their doctor for further discussion if they have any questions or concerns.
On the other hand, finding knowledge about your risk of contracting a specific illness while you’re well might also be helpful. Bush emphasizes that knowing one’s family medical history and use of Face recognition app can be compelling and that since not enough of us question our family members about illnesses in our family history, we only get a partial picture of our health risks. Making informed medical choices may be significantly aided by this information.
Bush, who is an expert in cancer cell biology and studies the genetics of the disease to improve patient care, finds this to be of particular relevance.
Three Different DNA Test Types
The biggest direct-to-consumer DNA test kit providers employ the autosomal type. The autosomes, or chromosomes one through 22, are examined. For family history research efforts, autosomal testing is often used.
- Mitochondrial: Only the mitochondrial DNA transmitted from the mother to the kid is examined in this test. These tests are used to investigate the direct maternal line, often for anthropological and profound ancestry studies.
- Y-DNA: This test can only be performed on men since it only examines the Y chromosome, passed down from father to son. Like mitochondrial testing, Y-DNA testing is used to determine ancestry dating back thousands of years.
Federal Legislation Prohibits DNA Discrimination.
What if your home DNA test findings reveal a sizable risk for Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s with late-onset? You could be concerned about whether your insurance provider would mistreat you if they learned.
For instance, if a life insurance provider discovered you had the BRCA gene mutation, they may decide not to provide coverage. Additionally, a federal measure presented to the House of Representatives in 2017 would exempt firms that offer workplace wellness programs from GINA regulations, allowing them to provide “good” genetically inclined individuals with higher benefits.
Be Ready For Unexpected Events.
You can uncover facts from a DNA Paternity Testing that you still need to be ready to hear about your heritage. “On the day the test results are returned, some family members I have dealt with discover they have a half-sibling or an unknown biological parent. People may get disturbed by it.”
Obtain informed permission before assisting a family member in providing a test sample. “They need to be made aware of the danger that if someone in their family has committed a crime, there is a possibility that they may be identified, and they need to understand how the DNA will and can be used.”
Data Reams on Our DNA
According to Bush, direct-to-consumer genetic biotechnologies are still in their infancy. They are likely to be around for a while because their scientific validity grows as these businesses continue to assemble data on the human genome.
Greene approaches it from the standpoint of the broader good: “By selecting “yes” when asked if they want their DNA utilized for study after test registration, people may contribute to science. Our testing population grows as more individuals provide DNA samples, she observes, “helping researchers learn more about inherited disorders and potentially find novel strategies to avoid them.”