August 21, 2015
Direct-to-consumer (DTC) gene tests provide a lot of curious factoids about ancestry and physical traits, as well as important information on responsiveness to common drugs, the capacity to clear drugs and toxins, and the risk of a small number of gene-linked diseases.
According to IHPI member Scott Roberts, consumers seek gene tests for a variety of reasons.
Based on a survey of 1,848 people who got gene screens from Navigenics, he said 74% sought ancestry data. A nearly equal number (72%) wanted disease risk assessments. 52% percent sought drug response info, and only 31% were concerned about carrier status for frank genetic disorders.