Posts Tagged "Dna Tests"

Gene Testing OnLine – Do You Really Want to Know?

In Mid-September of 2008, Google founder Sergey Brin launched a personal blog, Too. The first post in that blog was a stunner and received huge media attention! The blog post unveiled that Brin who underwent a gene test at 23andMe, a California-based gene testing company co-founded by his wife Anne Wojcicki, is carrying a mutant gene linked to Parkinson’s disease. According to the results of 23andMe’s gene test, Brin’s genetic profile includes mutation of a gene, called LRRK2. And previous research has shown that this particular mutation of LRRK2, known as G2019S, may increase a person’s risk for a type of Parkinson’s disease that runs in families. Brin’s mother suffers Parkinson’s disease and 23andMe’s gene test showed that she also has the G2019S mutation in her genetic make-up.

“When my wife asked me to look up G2019S in my raw data (23andMe scientists had had the forethought to include it on their chip), I viewed it mostly as entertainment,” writes Brin in his blog. “But, of course, I learned something very important to me, I carry the G2019S mutation and when my mother checked her account, she saw she carries it too.”

Brin points out in the blog that he has “a markedly higher chance of developing Parkinson’s in my lifetime than the average person.” “In fact, it is somewhere between 20% to 80% depending on the study and how you measure,” he writes.

Like Brin, people are now interested in checking their disease risk through gene or DNA tests. And thus, genetic testing is emerging as a new trend in personal healthcare, where people prefer to order the test online, know about their propensity for various diseases, and prepare for disease prevention.

Regarding his test, Brin writes, in his blog: “This leaves me in a rather unique position. I know early in my life something I am substantially predisposed to. I now have the opportunity to adjust my life to reduce those odds (e.g. there is evidence that exercise may be protective against Parkinson’s). I also have the opportunity to perform and support research into this disease long before it may affect me. And, regardless of my own health it can help my family members as well as others.”

For a gene test, an individual has to register and make the payment online. Then a test kit is sent for collection of the sample (that is the saliva of the customer). The kit includes a test tube, where the customer has to spit, and then mail the tube to the company. The results are obtained in about a month through a web account. The information unveils a genetic make-up of the customer, propensities for certain diseases, and some other genetic features including how one would probably respond to a group of drugs.

However, the results unveiled by a gene test are only considered informational and not diagnostic. There are several companies where the tests can be carried out including (amid others) California-based 23andMe and Navigenics and Iceland-based DeCode Genetics. In 2008 the California public health department granted 23andMe and Navigenics a license to offer gene services to their customers, with the condition that physicians have to be involved in ordering the genetic tests.

According to a web document by Navigenics, the company scans its customers’ DNA for “genetic risk markers associated with both common and uncommon health conditions.” “We use rigorous standards for deciding which conditions to include in your report,” the document adds.

The test done by Navigenics unveils risks for several conditions, such as obesity, psoriasis, prostate cancer, glaucoma, Crohn’s disease, colon cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, celiac disease, lupus, heart attack, atrial fibrillation, Grave’s disease, type-2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, to name a few. However, the test doesn’t cover certain conditions, Navigenics points out, and these include brain cancer, schizophrenia, height and eye color, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and HIV susceptibility or resistance.

The cost for online gene testing varies and usually ranges from $1000 to $2500. However, on September 9, 2008, 23andMe came up with a substantial price cut for its gene testing service. According to the company, the price was reduced to democratize personal genetics and expand people’s opportunity to benefit from the genetic revolution. “Effective immediately, 23andMe is offering its service for $399,” declared a press release by the company. “23andMe is able to offer the reduced price thanks to technological advancements made by the company that provides its DNA scanning technology, Illumina, Inc,” the release says.

23andMe’s co-founder Wojcicki comments, in the release, “By taking advantage of continuing innovation we are able to introduce a new chip that will give people more relevant data at a lower price.” “We are excited that we are opening doors for more people to learn about their health and ancestry and for more people to be able to participate in advancing research. It is important to democratize personal genetics and make it more accessible.”

Despite this enthusiasm for genetic testing in America, there are issues that have evoked strong negative vibes against the trend. Critics say, a DNA test speaks only of the preponderance of an individual for a disease or more than one disease-it can’t say anything conclusive. For example, a large number of people with G2019S mutation (the mutation that Brin has) never contracts Parkinson’s disease. Moreover, according to critics, stamping an individual predisposed to certain conditions on the basis of genetic testing may cause substantial psychological trauma to him or her. That apart, there is also possibility that insurance companies or employers would discriminate against a person on the basis of a gene test, which is why in May 2008, President Bush signed legislation into law that would bar insurance companies and employers from discriminating against anyone on the basis of genetic information.

However, Brin considers himself “fortunate” for the genetic test he underwent. “Until the fountain of youth is discovered, all of us will have some conditions in our old age, only we don’t know what they will be,” he writes in his blog. “I have a better guess than almost anyone else for what ills may be mine and I have decided to prepare for it.”

9 Uses of Dna Testing

Genetic analysis is gaining popularity quickly and a genetic testing resource as well as information is available widely on the internet, in magazines, as well as in libraries.

Advances in science are finding many uses in the field of health, forensics, and genealogy. While a few years ago genetic testing or DNA testing was limited to governmental and research institutions today any individual can approach a laboratory and get DNA tests done.

Information on DNA testing as well as access to laboratories is available on the internet and people can find resources that are most convenient for them.

DNA or genetic testing has many uses:

1. In archeology DNA tests help record genetic codes and sequences of life on earth many centuries ago. This creates a data base that can be used as a ready reference.

2. Genetic testing is used to determine the paternity of a child . This helps authorities solve legal problems and settle any tussles.

3. DNA testing can be used to create a family tree or genealogical chart. Through genetic data bases one can trace lost relatives or find ancestors. Since the Y chromosome tends to remain unchanged for generations people can use DNA testing to establish ancestral lines.

4. Prenatal genetic tests help doctors determine whether or not the unborn fetus will have certain incurable health problems.

5. DNA tests are also used to help solve murders and other crimes. Often elusive criminals leave a DNA imprint at the scene of crime and testing helps catch them. In recent years many unsolved mysteries have been solved due to new ways of analysis.

6. DNA testing finds great use in the health field as DNA sometimes is the cause of rare medical conditions or heritable diseases.

7. Genetic testing is used in healths checks like that of certain cancers the tests help determine the presence of viruses or cells that have mutated.

8. DNA tests are often used to reunite lost siblings or families. The genetics of a person leaves an indelible mark and this is used by police and authorities as well as individuals to confirm relationships.

9. DNA tests on new species or on material from outer space help scientists and researchers determine the origins of a species and where they stand with reference to known living forms.

As advancements in DNA research have occurred, DNA testing gets more and more advanced to include: genetic fingerprinting, pupil recognition, creation of records of pure breeds, and more. DNA tests are today affordable and cost between USD 100-400 a test. And the conveniences are numerous; a DNA test kit can be ordered through mail order or using the internet. Laboratories all over the world conduct the testing and send the report back by mail.

Information on genetic testing and is advantages and uses is available all over the internet and those who are keen on getting a test done can do so easily using the internet and safe payment gateways.

Genetic Testing to be Introduced for Health Insurance

Insurance companies are now allowed to consider the results of genetic test when underwriting policies. DNA samples will be permitted only in cases where the policyholder may have inherited the degenerative Huntington’s disease.

The decision of the expert advisory body reporting to the Government on genetics and insurance will open the door to the consideration of genetic test results for diseases which are inherited, including breast cancer.

Consumer groups and opposition MPs maintain that the introduction of DNA tests for insurance will create a group of people – the genetic underclass – who will be unable to get medical insurance cover.

A prime example of a group who will have to pay higher premiums and may never qualify for life insurance, are those inheriting the gene associated with Huntington’s, a terminal disease. Failure to disclose this disease to an insurance company following a DNA test would invalidate the cover.

The Liberal Democrat spokesman for health, Dr Peter Brand, says that not only is it going to be very difficult to regulate genetic testing, but it will create not only a genetic underclass, but also a health underclass. He maintains that although it is sensible to test when a genetic disease is treatable, it should be carried out confidentially, otherwise people won’t be able to sign up for mortgages and insurance.

An independent group of health professionals, geneticists and actuaries, known as the Genetics and Insurance Committee, has been established by the Department of Health, to assess genetic tests.

Hereditary breast cancer, myotonic dystrophy and Alzheimer’s disease are among nine diseases, which the Association of British Insurers (ABI) plans to request permission to include in a list of diseases for which genetic test results can be requested.

The National Consumer Council considers the granting of this application could be a backward step, as it will discourage people from applying for a test, which could be in their own interest.

Insurers will be told that they may consider genetic tests for Huntington’s when assessing life insurance cover, although not for mortgage protection and some other types of insurance cover. Cornhill and Standard Life do not consider the results from genetic testing when assessing a claim, although some insurance companies may do..

The Huntington’s Disease Association accepts that insurers must behave as ‘commercial companies’ Each person whose parent has Huntington’s disease is born with a 50-50 chance of inheriting the faulty gene. Anyone who inherits the faulty gene will, at some stage, develop the disease. A genetic test is available from Regional Genetic Clinics throughout the country. This test will usually be able to show whether someone has inherited the faulty gene, but it will not indicate the age at which they will develop the disease.50 per cent of people have a chance of inheriting Huntington’s from a parent who is diagnosed with the disease There are about 7000 people suffering from the illness in the country.

Juvenile Huntington’s Disease (JHD) refers to anyone who develops signs or symptoms of HD before they are 20 years old. It is a relatively rare condition and only about 5% of people affected with HD will develop symptoms this young. This can make it quite an isolating experience for the person affected by HD, their family, and any professionals that are helping them.