Personalized Genetic Testing and Health Reports

This article provides a high level overview for newbies like me to the growing field of genetic testing and the generation of personalized associated ancestry and health reports. I decided to write this article after I ordered a DNA testing kit with personalized ancestry and health assessment reports as a Christmas present for myself from one of the leading companies providing these services.

In recent years, there’s been a dramatic increase in genetic testing. It was nearly unheard of only a few decades ago. Now, you or someone you know has likely had genetic testing within the last year or two -

and you don’t need a doctor’s order to request this. Companies like 23andMe, Ancestry.com, and a number of other testing companies are ready and willing to check your genes for variants associated with certain health conditions, as well as provide information on your family ancestry. In fact, spending on direct-to-consumer genetic testing is predicted to reach $2.5 billion within the next few years.

Genetic testing, also known as DNA testing, is used in a medical setting to diagnose or rule out suspected genetic disorders, predict risks for specific conditions, or gain information that can be used to customize medical treatments based on an individual's genetic makeup. Genetic testing can also be used to determine biological relatives, such as a child's biological parentage through DNA paternity testing, or be used to broadly predict an individual's ancestry. [For more detail go to Genetic Testing on Wikipedia]

Types of Genetic Testing

There are many different kinds of genetic tests. There is no single genetic test that can detect all genetic conditions. The approach to genetic testing is individualized based on your medical and family history, and for what specific condition you’re being tested.

• Single gene tests look for changes in only one gene. Single gene testing is done when your doctor believes you or your child have symptoms of a specific condition or syndrome.

• Panel genetic tests look for changes in many genes in one test. Genetic testing panels are usually grouped in categories based on different kinds of medical concerns.

• Large scale genetic testing or genomic sequencing are ordered by doctors for people with complex medical histories. Large-scale genomic testing is also used in research to learn more about the genetic causes of conditions. [For more detail go to Genetic Testing – CDC

Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing

The direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing market is booming after getting off to a slow start more than a decade ago. Millions of consumers are now buying test kits and related services to learn more about their ancestry, genealogy or kinship, risks of developing serious diseases, and how lifestyle and nutrition might affect their health. In fact, BIS Research earlier this year estimated that the global direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic-testing market is expected to reach $6.3 billion by 2028. Read the Consumers Buy into Genetic Testing Kits – American Hospital Association (AHA)

Conventional genetic testing is a clinician-centric process in which genetic samples are taken from patients as needed by your clinician, then sent to a laboratory for genetic testing, and the test results are then presented by the physician to their patients. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing is a consumer-centric process that allows individuals to bypass obtaining approval from a physician to send in a sample for genetic testing and consumer oriented health reports.

Selected Articles

The following is a short list of selected articles you might want to read as you delve deeper into the topic of DTC Genetic Testing:

• Making Smart Decisions About Genetic Testing

• Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing: Consumer Reports

• How to protect your DNA Genetic Testing data
• Top 3 DNA Tests Of 2021 - Provides some excellent guidance and tips before listing the Top 3 DNA Tests from CRI Genetics, Ancestry DNA, 23 and Me.

Selected Links Genetic Testing - CDC Genetic Testing - MedlinePlus Genetic Testing - Mayo Clinic Genetic Testing and Screening - Cigna National Human Genome Research Institute Top 3 DNA Tests of 2021 23andMe – DNA Testing, Ancestry, and Health Reports

I’m looking forward to receiving my genetic testing kit, submitting my sample, and receiving reports on my Ancestry and the preliminary Health Reports before Christmas. I will post follow-up comments about the process and the reports received.