FamilyTreeDNA Sells Consumers Out

An article published in the New York Times discusses one of the most popular at home DNA testing companies, FamilyTreeDNA. The company issued an apology to customers after information surfaced that the company was sharing DNA information with the FBI in an attempt to help solve violent crimes. The database was opened exposing more than two million different genetic records without the consent of the consumer.

In my opinion, this is an incredible invasion of privacy. I am sure most of the individuals who participated in the genetic mapping through FamilyTreeDNA are not violent criminals but they did not agree to share their genetic information. I do not believe it should be legal to share this information without the consent of the consumer. I would be more understanding if a specific person was a suspect in a crime and a court order allowed access to the information. I do not even like having my e-mail shared between companies, I could only imagine if someone shared my genetic data.

FDA Approves at Home DNA Test for 10 Diseases

     

http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/04/07/522897473/fda-approves-marketing-of-consumer-genetic-tests-for-some-conditions

http://time.com/4729600/fda-approval-23andme-dna-tests/

       The FDA has finally approved its very first at home genetic testing kit from the company 23andMe. 23andMe have attempted at home genetic testing kits in the past, however they were stopped due to inaccurate results and other complications. This kit is said to help test for 10 different diseases which includes Parkinson's, Late-onset Alzheimer's, Celiac disease, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, Early-onset primary dystonia, Factor XI deficiency, Gaucher disease type 1, Glucose- 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, Hereditary hemochromatosis, and Hereditary thrombophilia. 

      This at home kit is a great way for people to find out the answers they want while in the comfort of their own home. However, it is being stressed to consumers that this not the ultimate final answer. Genetics are not the only factor when it comes to diseases. The environment, lifestyle choices, and diet are just a few different factors that play a large role in determining whether or not a person will get a disease. 

       After hearing the news about this kit, the National Institute on Aging has stated that it is very unlikely for genetic testing to ever predict with accuracy Alzheimer's disease since there are multiple factors that lead to the progression of it. There is a positive outlook for this at home testing kit and the hopes for more kits for different diseases in the near future. 

New Genetics Test Released in UK

A new genetics test from 23andMe was recently approved and released in the UK.  Costing only £125 (about $150), the test is sent to your home for you to provide a saliva sample.  Then you mail the sample back to 23andMe and they do genetic tests on the sample to determine if you are susceptible to certain conditions or if you have certain genes that are linked to different diseases.  It can test for conditions such as sickle cell anemia or cystic fibrosis and can also tell you if you are at risk for certain cancers and diseases like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. It can also determine some not-so-serious traits such as hair color or eye color and can even determine your ancestry.

This genetic test was banned in the US because the Food and Drug Administration did not approve of the medical uses of the kit and feared that people would rely solely on test results and not seek professional medical advice.

While I think that this test can be helpful in determining ancestry, I feel that the Food and Drug Administration has a good point.  It can be reassuring to those people who get the test results back and learn that they do not have any diseases or genetic risks for diseases.  However,  people who learn they have a genetic predisposition to certain diseases may live in fear for the rest of their lives simply because they MIGHT one day be diagnosed with a condition.  This is not how someone should live their life, and I think that 23andMe will soon realize the consequences of selling such a readily available genetic testing service.

Gentics testing.. at home?

At home genetic testing could be an option for us in the future, according to the LA Times. The test is simply done by swabbing the inside of your mouth and sending it out to a lab. The test would inform you of any unknown diseases or any other potential health risks. There are many people who are skeptical to this idea. Claiming that it will cause depression to those who have untreatable diseases. The potential of it creating false positives worry scientists. Any inaccurate results could create unnecessary problems. Is having at "At home genetics testing kit" going to help solve or create problems?