Author's posts
What Beyonce’s Dad And Angelina Jolie Have In Common
Beyonce’s father, Mathew Knowles, shared that he has breast cancer and carries a BRCA2 mutation – shining a light on these topics, as Angelina Jolie did with BRCA1.
Genetic Testing Unleashed: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Genetic testing can be used to further healthcare and precision medicine, or for more nefarious purposes. In the future? No. It’s happening right now.
What You Should Know About Insurance Before You Have Genetic Testing
Are you considering genetic testing? Consider your insurance options first.
Genomic Data Carve A New Path For Consumers, Clinical Trials
Genetic testing has changed drastically over the past decade with improvements to technology, turn-around-time, and scope of tests available. Millions of people have had genetic testing and mountains of baseline data now exist. Using these data effec…
Adoption and Sperm and Egg Donations Are No Longer Anonymous
Widespread direct-to-consumer genetic testing and family databases mean that anonymous adoption, and sperm and egg donations no longer exist. Parents should share accurate biological information with their children before they someday learn this inform…
I Had Lynch Syndrome For 30 Hours
As a genetic counselor, I have been taking the popular home DNA tests on the market. My raw data showed that I have Lynch syndrome, a hereditary cancer syndrome that increases the risk of colorectal, uterine, ovary, and other cancers. Further testing…
Should Your List To Santa Include Ancestry Testing? Advice From A Genetic Counselor
A genetic counselor takes a direct-to-consumer test focused on ancestry. The ancestry results are accurate, but the lines between real data and genutainment are blurred, and the privacy of family members is compromised, and without their consent.
A Genetic Counselor Takes The Top DTC Genetic Tests On The Market
A certified genetic counselor decides to take the most popular direct-to-consumer genetic test on the market.
Building A Bridge From Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Tests To Reality
Thousands of consumers who use DTC genetic test kits learn they may carry a disease-causing genetic variant. But if they have no personal or family history of that disease, their insurance may not pay for confirmatory testing, leaving them in an abyss…
Consumer Genetic Testing Will Change Your Life. In Fact, It Probably Already Has.
Even if you have not had consumer genetic testing, it is most likely that one of your relatives has, and that your DNA is in a public database. Companies are emerging with innovative tools for consumers to understand, use, and track their genetic data.
