I personally have had genetics testing done before; however, it was blood testing rather than saliva. I didn’t even know that saliva DNA testing existed, like discussed on 23 & me. I think it is kind of a cool concept that they can get all of this information from just saliva, but in a way it is also a bit creepy to me just how much information comes from a simple saliva sample. On one hand, I do think it would be cool to know about the texture of your hair, natural athletic build, your sleeping style, etc. On the other hand, I am not sure I would want to know if I am more at risk for cancer than other people. If I were to know that, I think I would be living in fear. While it could allow you to take certain preventative measures, ultimately cancer is not fully preventable and I would personally rather not know if I am more at risk. In my case, my family and I got to choose how much of the results we wanted from my testing when I was younger. We decided we didn’t want to know anything other than the specific individual reason for getting it done in the first place, which had to do with a condition that I have. Since we already knew that I had the condition, the testing wouldn’t reveal anything other than whether I had the gene for it or not which was necessary because it affected the treatment plan. I think I can give some insight into this subject, having experience personally. My test was done in my doctor’s office which seems way safer to me than a company that you mail your saliva to. I would be concerned about privacy, although they do say it is kept private they also make it clear that they are not responsible for breaches in privacy and that alone is risky.
https://www.23andme.com/howitworks/Hi Morgan!
I think that it is so neat that you have had genetic testing done before! I feel that having a blood sample taken in a doctor’s office is a much safer alternative than a saliva sample sent to a company through the mail. I, like you, feel that I would also live in fear if I found out about a condition or predisposition to cancer from my genetics. I believe that these tests can reveal some interesting information about lineage and lifestyle predispositions, but they can also reveal some devastating information that could cause mistrust in families and anxiety due to the predispositions of an individual. I think that privacy is a major concern, and I have seen many people talk about its concern. I think that having the test performed in a doctor’s office does not pose as much of a security breach. Hopefully, these companies will be able to work out some of the privacy concerns that people have, as well as some of the fear that comes from knowing that you are predisposed to a condition because of your genes.
I think that it is so neat that you have had genetic testing done before! I feel that having a blood sample taken in a doctor’s office is a much safer alternative than a saliva sample sent to a company through the mail. I, like you, feel that I would also live in fear if I found out about a condition or predisposition to cancer from my genetics. I believe that these tests can reveal some interesting information about lineage and lifestyle predispositions, but they can also reveal some devastating information that could cause mistrust in families and anxiety due to the predispositions of an individual. I think that privacy is a major concern, and I have seen many people talk about its concern. I think that having the test performed in a doctor’s office does not pose as much of a security breach. Hopefully, these companies will be able to work out some of the privacy concerns that people have, as well as some of the fear that comes from knowing that you are predisposed to a condition because of your genes.
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Hey Morgan! I agree that it is mind blowing that we can learn so much about ourselves just from a salvia sample. That is awesome you have had genetic test. That’s interesting you did not look at all the things the DNA test found; however, I understand not wanting to know all of it. Personally, I do not think I would live in fear if I discovered my genes were prone to code certain diseases like cancer, because it would help me to be more proactive. I do not think I will have a DNA test conducted on me any time soon; however, I believe it is something my family should investigate with my little sister who is adopted from China. This is because we have little to no information about her background, and by getting her DNA tested we would be able to help her a lot.
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