Dr. Keith Grimaldi of Sciona Speaks Out on Nutrigenomics
A couple of weeks ago, I posted about Sciona Inc, a company offering DNA testing as a way to design personalized diets. In jest, I asked if anyone from Sciona was reading and to my surprise, Dr. Keith Grimaldi, Sciona’s Director of Science – Europe, came by and left some comments.
After giving it some more thought, I realized that DNA test kits like the ones Sciona is offering are really not much different than vitamins and other health products currently on the market. None are regulated and all have the potential to be misleading. Marketing of health products to the public is increasingly aggressive and it is up to us consumers to become as knowledgeable as possible (the main reason I write the Genetics and Public Health Blog).
Dr. Grimaldi wrote in an e-mail:
One thing about what we do, we are not looking to drastically reduce severe health risks. What we are doing is nothing more than what healthy eating advice tries to do – i.e. address long term health with good general diet and lifestyle. But we add a bit of research based genetic tailoring to make the suit fit better, even if it doesn’t look much different.
Aside from obvious concerns regarding DNA tests, e.g., privacy and misuse, why do we feel uneasy? Perhaps it’s because we don’t want to face our mortality. Were we to know a little more about our genetically determined predisposition toward heart disease or cancer, we’d no longer have the excuse of ignorance to continue eating that crispy chicken skin or buttered garlic bread. But if that bit of unease pushes buyers of Sciona DNA test kits to change their lifestyles for the better, then I think the money may be well-spent.
I went to a lecture by Dr. John Milner with the NIH this last week. Nutrigenomics is very important. He presented many studies that show that variations in certain genes can affect how a person reacts to drugs and other interventions (sodium reduction, fiber intake, etc..).
I think there should be a scientific review of the data by Sciona and others.
Otherwise, the $200-300 is a small price to pay for a little peace of mind.
I´m interested in courses of diets based on nutrigenomics and the DNA test kits. How do I get it ?