DNA Testing -- Would you do it?

Read an article today about a reporter who took three DNA tests that tell you (supposedly) to which diseases you are most vulnerable. (Discover mag, Sep 08; sorry, no linkie available yet.)
The reporter found variations between the three different company tests which also could not give data for bi-racial folks (she is Asian-Euro descent).
Made me think -- do I want some company telling me that based on my genetic makeup, I could die of brain cancer, get osteoporosis, macular degeneration, arthritis...?
The reporter got different reads from each company. The main pedestrian feedback was: don't smoke, exercise, eat healthy. (Fek, my mom could tell me that.)
But, it would be kinda like a tea cup reader telling you not to eat phad thai on Thursdays coz she says that could be a very bad luck day for you to eat pad thai, while your astrologer says it's OK to eat it on Thursdays but not on Mother's day, innit?
Crikeys, hypochondriacs would go batty!
Dunno, would you take the test to see what your genetic defaults are?

^ linky? Iridology works just as well or reading the bumps on one's head.

Read my post, m-squared. The next issue ain't available on line yet.

No I wouldn't. Same as an MRI scan. I really don't need to know what I might / could have.

I'd prefer it be a suprise. :)

Where did you read it?

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Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

Dunno, would you take the test to see what your genetic defaults are?

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Would I take these tests now? No, not really proven IMHO.

Would I take a similar test once they are proven reliable/ accurate? Sure.

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Originally Posted by momo8

Where did you read it?

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Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

Read my post, m-squared

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Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

Discover mag, Sep 08; sorry, no linkie available yet

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Does that help?

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Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

Read an article today about a reporter who took three DNA tests that tell you (supposedly) to which diseases you are most vulnerable. (Discover mag, Sep 08; sorry, no linkie available yet.)

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These are at best dramatic oversell, and at worst fraud IMHO. Except for a few biggies (breast cancer springs to mind) there really is little accurate work to support what is being sold (i.e. this combination of genes suggests you are susceptible to hypertention).

For the few clear cases (eg again breast cancer, some of the degenerative diseases) where there is a clear link - most people already know if they need the specific test or not.

Basically, save your money - in 10 to 20 years they may well be able to offer something meaningful.

All of these tests are probabilities, not certainties, a good genetic counselor will tell you this. (in fact some of them have been around for close to 20 years, eg: Thalassemia.

But depends on why you would want to know....and what you will do with the knowledge once you know,

would you tell an insurance company?

would you tell you family? what if it could lower the risk for them?

Never mind I found it. :) not vey net knowledgeable are you.

DNA testing for disease is an important way to assess a person's susceptibility to a disease or to identify if they carry any mutations that are responsible for a particular disorder.


Genetic Disorders and Disease

Genetic disorders are caused by DNA mutations that can occur when the normal sequence is interrupted through an omission, substitution or deletion in the DNA. These changes may occur rather randomly and they can be inheritable as well. Other triggers of mutations include environmental toxins such as ionising radiation. When a mutation occurs, the body's cells are unable to produce all of the proteins needed for health. Proteins might be produced that do not work as they should or the body may simply not make them at all. When the protein affected is a particularly important one, the consequences can be quite dangerous and the individual may end up having a genetic disorder.



Benefits of Disease Testing

There are many benefits for genetic testing. This type of testing can help to make a prediction of a disease or alternately, provide a diagnosis of a disease that occurs as a result of a mutation within your genes. There are numerous reasons why a person may choose to obtain genetic testing. It may be to assess your personal risk level for a disease. Gene tests can predict if you have a specific genetic mutation that raises your risk of having a disease.



Sometimes, you may have no indications of a disease at all in terms of symptoms but if your familial history is particularly high for a certain disease or disorder, it can be helpful to assess your individual risk level. For example, there are tests to check for cancer genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, both of which can indicate susceptibility to breast or ovarian cancer. Some women even choose to undergo a preventative treatment such as a mastectomy following the results of genetic testing for these two cancer genes.

Another use for genetic disease testing is to confirm a previous diagnosis. This allows a physician to create an effective plan for the provision of your medical care. Also helpful is the use of disease testing for prenatal care. Parents may wish to assess if a foetus is at a raised risk for a specific genetic disease or abnormality. There is also disease testing for newborns who have a genetic disease and even for parents who wish to gauge whether they have the genes for a hereditary disease that may then be passed to their child.


Is Disease Testing Right for Me?

Whether or not disease testing is right for you is an intimately personal choice that can be aided by a discussion with your doctor. It's important to look at your reasons for wishing to have testing performed and to also assess the benefits of testing as well as how you wish to proceed should you obtain the testing.


An important aspect of disease testing that you should keep in mind is that there are many advertisements cropping up for disease testing. They promise to provide results that will tell you what disease you are at risk for, but studies have shown that some can be highly inaccurate and may provide recommendations that are inappropriate. It is wise to have any testing done under the supervision of your doctor to ensure accuracy and reliable information following the results. Alternately, if you choose to use a commercial company, proceed with caution and do your own research on the reputation and success of the company. Ultimately, disease testing has many benefits and can be an important aspect of your healthcare, provided it is used wisely and performed by a reputable laboratory facility.

Results: DNA test:Kingwilly.


Yep......monkey.

An interesting outcome of the association of medical practitioners in the US. Testing for prostrate cancer is often times far more serious to the patient than the cancer itself.

Major testing at UT, HM and some other major teaching hospitals have determined that prostrate cancer false negatives are very common. (Believe that's the PSA test they are referring to.)

While SOME forms of prostrate cancer are very virile and fast moving they are not the norm. The angst, physical pain and medications often do more damage than the cancer itself.

Recommended that patients only be tested when they exhibit some form of symptoms.

Why test a normal healthy person ? This was the main thrust of the article, along with never test a male over the age of 70 years.

Study done by two of the more famous doctors of Urology in the US med. school area.

What you don't know won't hurt you .... for now at least or until you exhibit symptoms.


E. G.

Anticipation of death is worse than death itself.

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Originally Posted by EmperorTud

Anticipation of death is worse than death itself.

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If you know that Tud, you must be a ghost ... :)

DNA testing you ask? No thanks.

I recall Norton's Tagline - something like 'Eat well, live clean - die anyway'.

The same yardstick should be used when deciding to undertake one of these tests...

Just ask around your blood relatives, find out what they have suffered with/died of and get regular checks for those diseases.

Simple, cheap, effective.

.... And private - not likely to get into the hands of an insurance company or employer!!!!

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Originally Posted by EmperorTud

Anticipation of death is worse than death itself.

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How do you know that ?

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Originally Posted by Itchy

Just ask around your blood relatives, find out what they have suffered with/died of and get regular checks for those diseases.

Simple, cheap, effective.

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Spot on. And pretty much what any (reasonable) doc does the first time you see them..family history - its not just history, its your future....

FUCK NO........I'll die with my boots on, and I'm trying quite hard at the moment..:)

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Originally Posted by kingwilly

would you tell an insurance company?

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This is a point of contention, as an insurance co (in the US anyway) can cancel your policy if you do not divulge the results. But, as Bugs noted, the test are still unreliable.

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Originally Posted by EmperorTud

Anticipation of death is worse than death itself.

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I think worrying that you'll maybe get a specific painful disease and die a wretched, lingering death is worse.

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Originally Posted by Itchy

Just ask around your blood relatives, find out what they have suffered with/died of and get regular checks for those diseases.

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Ya! That's why docs always ask family history of illnesses. My great to the 20th power auntie was a beautiful lass who was cut down by the jealous rants of a minor goddess who got her lover to do the job. So, what am I gonna die from? Someone else's torment?

My personal philosophy is, if I have an ache or pain (and bearing in mind I'm over 50) I keep an eye on it for just say a week and if it doesn't clear I go to the doctors for a check up.
Know people who come hear for a cat scan, anal tract inspection and other delving medical examinations and to see how sick they might be. After they get their clean bill of health they then start their holiday. For me a perfect way to fcuk up a holiday.
Know your own body, trust your instincts and live your life to its fullest IMO.

My father's side of the family tree keeps losing to cancer. Having lost yet another uncle to it just a few days ago, I'm quite sure the bugger will eventually get me. No need for DNA test.

I want my death to be a surprise.

I'm hoping for a big fat heart attack or stroke that cleans me out in less than five seconds. I'm hoping I don't get Alzheimer's and wonder around Klong Toey for eight months before getting hit by a bus.

I would have a speculative test undertaken for my son, if there was any reasonable grounds for an accurate assessment to be made.

There could be some benefits, an early introduction to a more beneficial diet say, if perhaps arthritis was a positive outcome, then certain foods may have an effect in delaying onset, although I have yet to hear if this is the case.

The point in question would be, say these tests heralded a major risk of heart attack or stroke with a limited life span predicted, would I tell him? would you if it was your son/daughter?

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Originally Posted by Texpat

I'm hoping I don't get Alzheimer's and wonder around Klong Toey for eight months before getting hit by a bus.

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I think it was Bill Cosby who said, and I paraphrase, so what. If you have Alzheimer's, you won't know anyway.:)

^ Not so sure about that Jet...

This woman was diagnosed with Alzheimers at 48 and she's been writing a blog about her experiences for the last few years - Alzheimers blog

^ Then I reckon she's doing OK. One of my granma's had it, and it was called "being forgetful." Mind, she was about 85 at the time and lived to 96. I read if you do xword puzzles, play cards and vid games, it keeps the brain links running. TD is prob a good equivalent for that.

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Originally Posted by walrus

^ Not so sure about that Jet...

This woman was diagnosed with Alzheimers at 48 and she's been writing a blog about her experiences for the last few years - Alzheimers blog

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Sadly she has made the same entry 453 times.....

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Originally Posted by extras

My father's side of the family tree keeps losing to cancer. Having lost yet another uncle to it just a few days ago, I'm quite sure the bugger will eventually get me. No need for DNA test.

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The thing with cancer nowadays (with a few exceptions) is that it IS curable - here comes the important bit - IF its caught early enough. Most people die from cancer because its detected too late, and has spread too far. Many people ignore 'warning signs" for years - in which case nothing really can be done. Having a strong family history (and this includes people like parents/brothers/sisters/aunts uncles and cousins) may well be an indication something is going on - or it may just be rotten luck. It really depends on who had what so to speak.

If there is a lot of breast cancer (and or ovarian cancer) in the women in your family - there could be an inherited mutation - and your chance is 50/50 that you carry the same mutation (you say you are a woman). If you DO - you have a strong likely hood of developing breast cancer during your life time - and so a regular screening program would be a really good idea - and a genetic test an even better idea. breast cancer is definately one of those "curable if caught early" cancers.

Screening for diseases where there is no possibility of a cure (some of the degenerative diseases say) is more of a personal choice. Some people don't want to know - others would rather know - for better or worse - and if worse they can plan for that - and if better, they can avoid a life time of worry.

But these are diseases for which there is a well known cause and effect. Most of the oher things - obesity, heart diseases, arthritis, high blood pressure - well, as said, there is no genetic screening currently worth paying for. you will get a more relaible answer by looking at your family, and seing what is going on with them.

there is quite a number of good articles here...

Genethics.ca - Genetics and Ethics page

Do people with Alzheimers anticipate anything? I wonder if living without worry makes some of them live longer?

I would be interested in learning about my DNA. Of course, you can look at yourself and see what kind of DNA you have. You have physical features which affect your life and your future decisions. I wouldn't waste money on a test right now as I don't see the technology as being very advanced right now. I can see a day when DNA testing and usage would be used by every doctor. It's just a matter of time. Right now there are certain tests people get prior to marriage/having kids, aren't there?

^ Ya, like tests to ensure your blood types are compatible so your babies don't turn out to be momos.

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Originally Posted by nidhogg

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Originally Posted by walrus

^ Not so sure about that Jet...

This woman was diagnosed with Alzheimers at 48 and she's been writing a blog about her experiences for the last few years - Alzheimers blog

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Sadly she has made the same entry 453 times.....

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That's good, nid. 555

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Originally Posted by Rattanaburi

Do people with Alzheimers anticipate anything? I wonder if living without worry makes some of them live longer?

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My previous joke aside (which was in markedly poor taste I am afraid) Alzheimers is an awful disease that I would not wish on anyone. There is a progressively increasing memory loss that strips a person of everything that made them that person. Its slow, irreversible and the last stages are tragic. In late stages Alzheimers patients lose control of all bodily functions.

^ True. We laugh about forgetfulness, but Alz's is a tragic disease, especially for the family.