Comments on: How to Prepare Yourself for a Genetic Test http://www.eyeondna.com/2007/12/11/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-genetic-test/ How will it change your life? Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:58:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Gender DNA Tests Answer Common Pregnancy Question…Or Not http://www.eyeondna.com/2007/12/11/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-genetic-test/#comment-50478 Gender DNA Tests Answer Common Pregnancy Question…Or Not Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:59:14 +0000 http://www.eyeondna.com/2007/12/11/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-genetic-test/#comment-50478 [...] Here are my tips for choosing a reputable genetic testing company (also see my tips for how to prepare yourself for a genetic test): [...] [...] Here are my tips for choosing a reputable genetic testing company (also see my tips for how to prepare yourself for a genetic test): [...]

]]> By: Marie Godfrey http://www.eyeondna.com/2007/12/11/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-genetic-test/#comment-27429 Marie Godfrey Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:06:57 +0000 http://www.eyeondna.com/2007/12/11/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-genetic-test/#comment-27429 Oops, a typo and an incorrect implication in my last comment: last line should read: When a positive BRCA test might lead to a radical mastectomy, for example, repeating the test with another sample seems like a good idea. I did not mean to imply that all medical genetic tests are conducted only by research labs. I mean that some tests are so rarely done that only research labs may have a test available. A good source of general information, for those who would like to read more, is the NIH site, search for "genetic testing". And, of course, there's Wikipedia. Oops, a typo and an incorrect implication in my last comment:

last line should read: When a positive BRCA test might lead to a radical mastectomy, for example, repeating the test with another sample seems like a good idea.

I did not mean to imply that all medical genetic tests are conducted only by research labs. I mean that some tests are so rarely done that only research labs may have a test available.

A good source of general information, for those who would like to read more, is the NIH site, search for “genetic testing”. And, of course, there’s Wikipedia.

]]> By: Marie Godfrey http://www.eyeondna.com/2007/12/11/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-genetic-test/#comment-27428 Marie Godfrey Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:02:30 +0000 http://www.eyeondna.com/2007/12/11/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-genetic-test/#comment-27428 Nearly all tests available direct-to-consumer (DTC) are actually screening tests. They are really intended to give the recipient a general idea of what genes or sets of genes were found--in relation to the general public or a particular group of people in the company's database. For example, whole genome testing, such as that offered by 23andMe compares your DNA marker patterns to those of other groups of people and to selected markers. Medical genetic testing, especially testing for a suspected genetic mutation or gene version, is more specific. Tests of this type are often used for rare genetic conditions such as Tay-Sachs, hemachromatosis, etc. Although some of these tests are available DTC, these are more likely to be requested by a medical care provider and may be conducted only in research labs (for particularly rare conditions whose genetics has not been clearly identified). Newborn testing is considered genetic testing, also. In this case, though, the products of genes are tested rather than the DNA itself. Although gene expression testing (that is, looking for proteins and/or RNA) is usually very expensive, most newborn testing is relatively simple and inexpensive. Another important thing to consider in genetic testing is that all tests of such importance should be repeated, both by the company who conducted the initial testing and with a fresh sample tested by another company (if possible). When a positive BRCA test might lead to a radical mastectomy, for erepeating the test with another sample seems like a good idea. Nearly all tests available direct-to-consumer (DTC) are actually screening tests. They are really intended to give the recipient a general idea of what genes or sets of genes were found–in relation to the general public or a particular group of people in the company’s database. For example, whole genome testing, such as that offered by 23andMe compares your DNA marker patterns to those of other groups of people and to selected markers.

Medical genetic testing, especially testing for a suspected genetic mutation or gene version, is more specific. Tests of this type are often used for rare genetic conditions such as Tay-Sachs, hemachromatosis, etc. Although some of these tests are available DTC, these are more likely to be requested by a medical care provider and may be conducted only in research labs (for particularly rare conditions whose genetics has not been clearly identified).

Newborn testing is considered genetic testing, also. In this case, though, the products of genes are tested rather than the DNA itself. Although gene expression testing (that is, looking for proteins and/or RNA) is usually very expensive, most newborn testing is relatively simple and inexpensive.

Another important thing to consider in genetic testing is that all tests of such importance should be repeated, both by the company who conducted the initial testing and with a fresh sample tested by another company (if possible). When a positive BRCA test might lead to a radical mastectomy, for erepeating the test with another sample seems like a good idea.

]]> By: Barry Starr http://www.eyeondna.com/2007/12/11/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-genetic-test/#comment-27426 Barry Starr Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:45:19 +0000 http://www.eyeondna.com/2007/12/11/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-genetic-test/#comment-27426 I agree but it would be nice to have some direction. Especially for the general public. Until you've had a genetic test, you might not know the level of support you need. I guess they just need to find out the hard way. I agree but it would be nice to have some direction. Especially for the general public. Until you’ve had a genetic test, you might not know the level of support you need. I guess they just need to find out the hard way.

]]> By: Hsien-Hsien Lei, PhD http://www.eyeondna.com/2007/12/11/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-genetic-test/#comment-27412 Hsien-Hsien Lei, PhD Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:04:26 +0000 http://www.eyeondna.com/2007/12/11/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-genetic-test/#comment-27412 Hey Barry, Even ff company ratings were available, I would consider them to be so subjective that they'd be practically worthless. I really think people have to do their own research and thinking about their own requirements. Every company offers a different set of testing and support. Hey Barry, Even ff company ratings were available, I would consider them to be so subjective that they’d be practically worthless. I really think people have to do their own research and thinking about their own requirements. Every company offers a different set of testing and support.

]]> By: Hsien-Hsien Lei, PhD http://www.eyeondna.com/2007/12/11/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-genetic-test/#comment-27410 Hsien-Hsien Lei, PhD Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:01:37 +0000 http://www.eyeondna.com/2007/12/11/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-genetic-test/#comment-27410 Doris, Point well taken. I must admit that I assume a basic level of understanding of genetics and genetic testing. To go into the level of detail that would be required to fully cover all areas of consumer genetic testing is quite an undertaking that would probably be well-suited for a book! I will consider posting on each area of genetic testing in the future if I have time. Doris, Point well taken. I must admit that I assume a basic level of understanding of genetics and genetic testing. To go into the level of detail that would be required to fully cover all areas of consumer genetic testing is quite an undertaking that would probably be well-suited for a book! I will consider posting on each area of genetic testing in the future if I have time.

]]> By: Doris http://www.eyeondna.com/2007/12/11/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-genetic-test/#comment-27407 Doris Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:28:39 +0000 http://www.eyeondna.com/2007/12/11/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-genetic-test/#comment-27407 I would have liked to see these suggestions grouped according to type of test. For example, testing for genealogy is quite different from testing for medical conditions. This article grossly oversimplifies the area of DNA testing and is very misleading to those who are not already up to speed in the topic. It lumps all types of tests together and the pros and cons of each are not at all clear. Doris I would have liked to see these suggestions grouped according to type of test. For example, testing for genealogy is quite different from testing for medical conditions. This article grossly oversimplifies the area of DNA testing and is very misleading to those who are not already up to speed in the topic. It lumps all types of tests together and the pros and cons of each are not at all clear.
Doris

]]> By: Are You Thinking About Genetic Testing? » The Genetic Genealogist http://www.eyeondna.com/2007/12/11/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-genetic-test/#comment-27122 Are You Thinking About Genetic Testing? » The Genetic Genealogist Wed, 12 Dec 2007 07:02:29 +0000 http://www.eyeondna.com/2007/12/11/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-genetic-test/#comment-27122 [...] that will help you do this important pre-testing research. Hsien at Eye on DNA has written “How to Prepare Yourself for a Genetic Test.” Hsien provides the following [...] [...] that will help you do this important pre-testing research. Hsien at Eye on DNA has written “How to Prepare Yourself for a Genetic Test.” Hsien provides the following [...]

]]> By: Marie Godfrey http://www.eyeondna.com/2007/12/11/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-genetic-test/#comment-27111 Marie Godfrey Wed, 12 Dec 2007 05:50:09 +0000 http://www.eyeondna.com/2007/12/11/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-genetic-test/#comment-27111 Excellent--positive--suggestions, Hsien. I've generally been a lot more critical of genetic testing available over the Internet and I appreciate your approach. In reply to another comment, no, there are no sites rating genetic testing companies. Readers who are interested in one person's experience with a well-known testing company may want to check out Vern's story at www.geneforum.org. It's posted under the tab "Your Stories". Excellent–positive–suggestions, Hsien. I’ve generally been a lot more critical of genetic testing available over the Internet and I appreciate your approach.

In reply to another comment, no, there are no sites rating genetic testing companies. Readers who are interested in one person’s experience with a well-known testing company may want to check out Vern’s story at http://www.geneforum.org. It’s posted under the tab “Your Stories”.

]]> By: Andrew Meyer http://www.eyeondna.com/2007/12/11/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-genetic-test/#comment-27016 Andrew Meyer Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:20:00 +0000 http://www.eyeondna.com/2007/12/11/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-genetic-test/#comment-27016 Hey Dr. Lei, I'm decided to decode my genome using 23andMe's service. They seem to have great customer service and a highly interactive online system. Plus, the social network aspect of their service is very interesting. I'm raising donations for the $999 cost and will be blogging the whole 23andMe experience. -Andrew Hey Dr. Lei,

I’m decided to decode my genome using 23andMe’s service. They seem to have great customer service and a highly interactive online system. Plus, the social network aspect of their service is very interesting.

I’m raising donations for the $999 cost and will be blogging the whole 23andMe experience.

-Andrew

]]>