The Value of Nutrigenomic DNA Testing
Following up on last week’s Senate Special Committee hearing on at-home DNA tests, Time Magazine has a short article that puts nutrigenetic companies like Sciona on the defensive. Here are a few key points to remember when considering whether nutrigenomic/nutrigenetic DNA testing is worth it or not:
- Both genetic and lifestyle factors contribute to your risk of disease. Are you committed to a healthier lifestyle?
- Is the company from whom you’re considering buying a DNA test upfront about what specific gene variants they’re testing for and the scientific evidence that supports the selection of these genes for testing?
- If vitamins figure into the lifestyle improvements suggested by the DNA testing company, are you sure their vitamin supplements are better than those readily available at your local drugstore?
- Would you consider sharing the results of your DNA test with your physician? Why or why not?
- Does the price of at-home DNA tests figure into your budget? Don’t spend your money if it’s going to make you broke. Simple lifestyle changes like quitting smoking go a long way and will even save you money.
Hat tip from Dr. Keith Grimaldi of Sciona whose interview is forthcoming!
PS In case you’re wondering, the pic is of the buccal swabs used to collect DNA for testing.
Technorati Tags: sciona, nutrigenomics, nutrigenetics, nutritional genetics, dna testing, dna tests, genetic testing, senate special committee, gao, genetics, genes, dna, disease, health, illness
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Check out what others are saying about this post...[...] Researchers are already talking about using this type of genetic information to create “a profile of risk for developing cardiovascular disease.” But, the ability to predict who will develop heart disease is already fairly straightforward. Family history, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle are all contributory factors. Don’t be surprised to see the GATA2 gene listed on the back of a direct-to-consumer nutrigenomic DNA test sometime soon. [...]
[...] For example, there are some controversial over-the-counter genetic tests where people can get tested for certain genes that tell them whether they have a higher chance of developing diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc. and are then told how they can change their lifestyle to take into account their genetic predisposition. [...]