DNAction

Does the term “genetic testing” conjure up thoughts of cloned, robot-like human beings and malevolent plots to rule the world? If so, you’ve been reading too much science fiction! The truth is, DNA testing has been put to very beneficial use for decades, primarily in the medical, law enforcement, and legal fields. And with the dramatic scientific advancements that have occurred in recent years, genetic testing has become a valuable resource for general consumers as well. Today, companies like Pathway Genomics are making it easy and affordable for consumers to test their DNA privately and securely.

By testing for common genetic variations or changes in your DNA, commonly referred to single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs (pronounced: “snips”), consumers can understand more about their personal biology, and take more proactive control of their health and wellbeing.

Drug response
Pathway’s genetic health report can reveal a person’s tolerance to certain medications. Not all drugs are equally effective for all people—and some medicines can trigger adverse reactions in some individuals. By knowing your sensitivity to Plavix (a drug used to protect against heart attack or stroke), Coumadin (a highly prescribed blood thinner), birth control pills, and other common medications, you can work more effectively with your doctor to determine optimal medical treatment.

Disease
Genetic test reports can also provide you with a wealth of information about your predisposition to certain health events—from chronic conditions like allergies and asthma to diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease and more. It’s important to note that having a genetic marker or SNP that is associated with a health disorder does not mean that you will develop this disease or condition. However, having reliable information about your genetic “blueprint” can help you make more informed decisions about your health and wellness.

Carrier status
It’s also important to know that some diseases are recessive; meaning that both copies of a gene must be defective to have the disease. In recessive conditions you may have a single copy of a defective gene even if you are not directly experiencing a specific health condition. This is commonly referred to as carrier status. As is true of all of your genes, a defective copy can be passed on to your offspring; increasing your child’s chances of being affected with the disease or condition. If both parents are carriers of a particular genetic marker, each child of the couple has a 25% chance of inheriting two copies of the disease-causing variant and developing the disease. By accessing genetic information, couples can make more-informed family-planning decisions.

Ancestral path
Genetic testing can also uncover information about your family’s ancestral path. For some people this could be simply a topic of interest. For others—such as individuals who were adopted—tracing one’s ancestry can provide valuable information about the genetic makeup history of their ancient relatives.

Once you have your genetic test report, then what? That’s another area where Pathway Genomics makes the experience simple and convenient, with a comprehensive, yet easy-to-read, action-orientated genetic test report. If you’re still asking yourself, “What is genetic testing?” look for DNA Conversation Starter #1 on our blog. If you are curious about what you can learn from genetic testing, look forward to Pathway’s next DNA Conversation Starter.

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Welcome to Pathway Genomics’ first, official DNA Conversation Starter. We felt the best way to kick off this campaign was to start with the basics and to answer the first question that comes to many of our minds—What is genetic testing?

If you mention the term “genetic testing” reactions can vary widely—from curiosity, to reticence or anxiety, to enthusiastic acceptance. The reality is, DNA testing has been used for decades, primarily to determine the paternity of children and to obtain forensic evidence for police investigations and legal trials.

In case your high school science classes don’t come readily to mind, here’s a quick refresher: Within every human cell are 23 pairs of chromosomes that house approximately 25,000 genes—coded instructions for building and maintenance of a human body. Our genes are composed of the chemical, DNA. DNA, or Deoxyribonucleic Acid, is the fundamental building block of humankind’s genetic “blueprint” and contains the biological instructions that make our species different from others, and every person (except identical twins) unique.

In the past few years, the science of DNA testing has advanced exponentially, both in the amount of information genetic tests can reveal, and in the precision and reliability of the results. Today, companies like Pathway Genomics are making it easy and affordable for consumers to test their DNA privately and securely, and gain information that can help them make more-informed health and lifestyle decisions. You may still be asking yourself, how does it work?

How it works
Pathway Genomics’ genetic testing service starts by a customer ordering a genetic health or ancestry report. A DNA collection kit is then delivered via mail, containing a saliva collection vial, simple instructions, and a prepaid return envelope. Once a customer returns their saliva sample to Pathway Genomics’ laboratory, and activates their account online, the genetic results are returned in only a few weeks. By using customized and innovative DNA genetic testing technologies, Pathway Genomics conducts comprehensive genotyping services to provide customers with personalized genetic test reports, outlining their propensity for disease, carrier status, drug response, and ancestral history.
Why test? Perhaps you’re simply curious! If you’re like most people who take a personal DNA test, however, discovering the details of your DNA can help you understand more about your biology and empower you to take more proactive control of your health and wellbeing. If you are interested in learning more about why you should test or what you can learn look forward to our next set of DNA Conversation Starters on these topics.

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UK scientists say people who carry rare mutations within both copies of a gene called MUTYH are 28 times more likely to develop bowel cancer compared to the general population.

These findings, which helped validate previous discoveries, showed this risk increase only exists if mutations are in both copies of the gene. The research also adds important insights into the controversy surrounding whether or not having just one mutation raises an individual’s risk of bowel cancer.

Researchers observed those who carried biallelic mutations were more likely to develop bowel cancer when relatively young - in their 50s. Most bowel cancers, over 80 per cent, occur in people aged 60 and over. Although the contribution of biallelic mutations to the overall incidence of bowel cancer is not high, the risk of developing the disease is substantial.

Check out the entire article at Medical News Today

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