I have seen ads on TV recently for a home DNA testing kit that is supposed to be able to illustrate certain health tendencies of an individual. I wonder about the accuracy of such an over the counter self testing kit. I also wonder why family doctors are not prescribing such tests to be performed by professional labs to help them guide us to a healthier life.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

I'd be worried about insurance companies getting hold of the data.

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Life on earth is the global equivalent of not storing things in the fridge.

IIRC the FDA has asked the 23 and me company to cease testing.

http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/nov/25/genetics-23andme-fda-marketing-pgs-screening

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In a rich man's house there is no place to spit but his face.
Diogenes Of Sinope

Full marks (well I am feeling generous this evening) to the FDA for stopping this company of snake oils salesmen in their tracks.

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Bob Smith
Member of Seti PIPPS (Pluto is a Planet Protest Society)
Somewhere in the (un)known Universe?

Thanks Skildude for your research and the link you provided. I am surprised that the FCC has allowed this company to air their misleading ads. I am naturally skeptical of such things but there are so many gullible folks out there who have most likely paid to have these tests run.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

Now tests like this linked 1 came up here about 2yrs ago with the same findings.

You will be ripped off in many ways.

If you want a DNA test done then just pay the $'s to your local government approved medical agency that does these tests (whether you do this with or without a court's paternity test order is another story).

Cheers.

Even made the Beeb.

Gene testing firm 23andMe halts marketing

Self DNA tester... The things people 'invent' these days...

I'll be back in five, just gonna test some DNA with my 'at-home kit'! Oh boy...

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rOZZ
Music
Pictures

Now back to the other half of my original post. Is my doctor still in the stone age or is it still not a commonly used tool for preventative medicine? Or would people freak out if their doctor told them they had a high probability of contracting a life threatening disease?

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

Now back to the other half of my original post. Is my doctor still in the stone age or is it still not a commonly used tool for preventative medicine? Or would people freak out if their doctor told them they had a high probability of contracting a life threatening disease?

The doctor will probably be able to control them when giving them the news. But what will freak them out over there is that their health insurance would either be null and void, or increase by a factor of 10.

Now back to the other half of my original post. Is my doctor still in the stone age or is it still not a commonly used tool for preventative medicine? Or would people freak out if their doctor told them they had a high probability of contracting a life threatening disease?

The doctor will probably be able to control them when giving them the news. But what will freak them out over there is that their health insurance would either be null and void, or increase by a factor of 10.

And there is the rub. Id say keep your gentic makeup secret from the damn bean counters at the insurance companys.
I can forsee a day in the not to distant future where a DNA scan is done at conception. And a few days later your insurance provider says they wont insure your kid beacuse of supposed gentic disorder. Please abort!.

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Old James

Now back to the other half of my original post. Is my doctor still in the stone age or is it still not a commonly used tool for preventative medicine? Or would people freak out if their doctor told them they had a high probability of contracting a life threatening disease?

The doctor will probably be able to control them when giving them the news. But what will freak them out over there is that their health insurance would either be null and void, or increase by a factor of 10.

Exactly what i meant.

It's the same reason why i won't have a black box in my car for insurance companies. I had visions of standing on the brakes when i kid runs into the road, and then recieving a letter from Admiral demanding an extra fifty quid for reckless driving.

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Life on earth is the global equivalent of not storing things in the fridge.

Now back to the other half of my original post. Is my doctor still in the stone age or is it still not a commonly used tool for preventative medicine? Or would people freak out if their doctor told them they had a high probability of contracting a life threatening disease?

Bob you answered your own question. Are you or your medical insurer willing to pay for you to have a full DNA sequence to see if you have "defective" genes ? If it turns out you do, is your medical insurer going to keep you on their books ? I also reckon that one of the most rampant diseases around at the minute is hypochondria and DNA testing is God's gift to a hypochondriac !!

From what I read, a DNA test can only indicate an increased probability of contracting a certain disease. It cannot state with any definitive certainty that you will or won't fall victim to such a problem.

There are just so many variables outside genetics such as diet, environment and other lifestyle choices that influence these things.

Remember, irrespective of genetics, lifestyle or whatever, you will still die one day. The best we can hope for is to still be in charge of all our faculties when the Fates cut the thread.

T.A.