Coming Soon Genetic Testing At Your Neighborhood Drugstore

Soon you'll be able to walk into a drugstore, buy a genetic testing kit, send the swab off to a laboratory and they'll send you the results back online. You could potentially find out if you are predisposed to certain genetic diseases such as alzheimer’s, heart disease and breast cancer. The test scans an individual’s DNA to provide information on the person’s risk of getting about two dozen diseases. It also looks at how a person might react to certain drugs and whether he or she carries mutations that could cause diseases in your children.

But wait a minute, genetic testing is available now through your doctor.  In fact, some insurance companies cover genetic testing if a doctor says it is necessary. So what's the difference?  The difference is you don't need a doctor, you don't need your insurance company, and all you need is the kit, a shipper and a computer.  The cost of the test will run about $200.00. 

When I first heard about this, I thought what a great idea, especially since I have two adopted children.  I immediately thought about the times the doctors would ask us about the family history of our children and we didn't know.  This seems to be a natural step to take in today's health and information age.  I could have my genetic testing done without the intrusiveness of doctors and insurance companies.  This seems very appealing to me. 

What if you knew the health problems you will have in say twenty years.  Wouldn't you live your life differently?  What if you knew you would develop breast cancer.  Wouldn't you immediately get in to see your doctor?  I would.  I would do everything I could to prolong my life and reduce the risk of developing breast cancer if I could.   

The drugstore test kits are being held up for public sale because the company who is selling them has not received approval from the FDA. In the United States, the development and marketing of commercial tests are regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are considered "medical devices".  As such, they must be evaluated and approved by the FDA. 

There are some on line laboratories that currently offer genetic testing.  Caution should be taken if using such an online service.  If you choose to have genetic testing done make sure the service is approved and accredited.  All information should be shared with your doctor who can advise you of the next steps to take for your health.