Genetic test kits don’t have all the answers

News briefs

It's tempting to try a direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic test kit that predicts your risk for developing certain diseases, like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. The kit is shipped to your home, where you collect cells (typically with a cheek swab or a saliva collection tube) and then send them to a lab for DNA analysis. But a report from British researchers, published in The BMJ on Oct. 16, 2019, warns that the tests commonly produce misleading predictions of high or low genetic risk for disease. In other words, a positive result for a particular gene doesn't necessarily mean you'll develop a related health problem, and a negative result doesn't automatically mean you'll dodge a particular condition. Study authors say that interpreting genetic data is complex and depends on the context of your individual and family medical history. If you want to try a DTC test, bring the results to your physician for more insight. If your doctor determines that further investigation is warranted, he or she can refer you for genetic testing that's more comprehensive than DTC tests, performed by an accredited laboratory. Those test results may be combined with genetic counseling to help you understand what to expect and what the information might mean for your health or the health of your family members.

Photo: sanjeri/Getty Images