DNA test: Should I take it?
by Dalmira Merzhakupova
The image was retrieved from the following website:https://www.myheritage.com
Recently DNA-testing kits became a huge business successfully advertised by social media. Millions of people have sent their saliva to commercial labs to get to know more about themselves (i.e.their health, heritage) or gift these kits to family members and friends. Sounds really cool! BUT! Don’t forget, folks, it is still THE business and YOUR data!
“We need your saliva.”
So, should we actually explore our past or see our future? What makes me feel unsafe is what happens with our DNA data and who can use it besides me. Is there someone who can be interested in it more than you? Let’s start from the very beginning!
“We need your saliva! We will not decipher your whole genome, but very unique sequence sites. Then, we compare your sequence sites with the database we have. Voila! you are 5%, 50% and something else.” — this is the reply you get from a company manager. But Is it really ?!
Limitations of the company
If the company’s database is poor , then your genetic result can be biased.
One of the most crucial factors that make the outcome of your test accurate is the database of the genetic sequences a company does possess.
Let’s take an example: if there are only 3 Nigerian people in the database, the percent that you are Nigerian would be quite low. In fact, a company can group similar nationalities into one category (shocking, right?), which makes the results even more unreliable. Therefore, if you take a test again, in 5 years, the results might be totally different ( BOOM!).
So far, this test kit is for FUN, but, well, 50–100 euros to pay for that?! For this price, I would prefer to buy a cool book or take a diagnostic test in the clinic to check my health. this is everyone’s choice though.
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Genetic test to check if you can have any diseases or disorders
Another not less exciting test is a DNA kit that allows seeing whether you a carrier of chronic disease or you have a chance to get cancer. Well, quite a serious test!
A step that shows your genetic map with the risks of any diseases.
The principle is similar to the previous one: your DNA is checked for some potential biomarkers that depict each disease. If this “bad gene” is expressed more than the threshold, the risk to get that particular disease is higher. One of this kind of tests approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is 23andme.
On one hand, if you are in potential trouble you can change that by going through regular health check-ups and diagnostics. So, what might be tricky in that? Personally, it is a good option. Instead of going to a taro magician to know about your future, you can know more from this test. BUT! It is not only you, who knows your health status.
The companies that sell these tests can claim their right to your data. It means they can do what they want to benefit from it. Despite rules and regulation, we all have this human factor that can do some not good actions towards others. It might happen that your data could be sold to third parties, like insurance companies. If they would know, their client has a high risk to get diabetes, well, maybe they will no longer serve you or will raise the costs… A quick good tip: before submitting your DNA, protect yourself, know the laws (i.e. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and think ahead.
Just for your interest, collaborates with a big pharma giant #GlaxoSmithKline and has a “partner in crime” Life Sciences. Remember, that your DNA is the access to your family members data as well! Before doing this test, it would be good to talk to your parents and siblings about it.
And whoever knows how this jump to the future can affect you and your social circle? mentally, emotionally and physically? It could be traumatic to find out something you are not ready to hear.
Well, a lot to think about. As I said earlier, it is everyone’s choice. Science is great! Discoveries and inventions lead to human progress, but when they become part of business, it turns out a different story!
Originally published at https://thedarwinmonkey.wixsite.com on January 18, 2021.