Would you want to know?

rssnlvr

A coworker came by to tell me about how she's had her DNA genotyped and the company is having a sale today--free actual procedure and you just have to pay the $9/month fee. (Link)

Basically it can tell you the obvious stuff (color of your hair, if you can roll your tongue, etc.), but also if you are a carrier for certain diseases, what your risk factors are for certain things (cancer, diabetes, etc.), etc. There's also a geneaology component you can opt into and it will match you with other people in their system (who have also opted in) who are related to you.

I think it's kind of fascinating, but I'm honestly not sure if I'd want to know. What do you think? 

chargermama

I can honestly say I do not know if I would want to know or not.  Part of me would want to know so I could be relieved if there is nothing wring.  But the other part would freak the F out if they found something.  I would have this constant fear of when X disease would hit. 

SarahPLiz

I wouldn't. After going through this NT scan and AFP/SPina Bifida scare because the odds were high, I don't think I want to deal with odds anymore, especially if there was nothing I could do about the eventual outcome. 

AustinBride06

I think that's really interesting!  I gather the $9/month is a fee to access the info?  Seems like that would be a one-time report sort of thing to me but I guess they're discovering new info all the time that would make it worth it?

mcurban

We went through this w/ DH, but it was a specific test to find out if his cancer was genetic or just a freak occurrence (kinda like the BRACC, but for a difference cancer).

At first, we were hesitant to do it, b/c we didn't want it in any way tied to the boys and their future insurance if it came back positive. In the end, though, we decided that it was something that was important, not only for our immediate family, but also for DH's siblings and possibly cousins, to know. 

I think it would be good information to have so that you could be proactive about treatment. 

MrsMillerTime

Absolutely.

DH is adopted and we both hate that there is a giant question mark next to his medical history.

JayandJack

If health or life insurance would know or be able to find out the information then I wouldn't want to know.

Otherwise, yes, I would want to know. There are several genetic conditions my moms side of the family has but as of yet I haven't shown any signs. I would want to know the likelihood that I have it and if there is anything I could do to prevent it.

ebat

No in case I ever need to purchase individual health insurance

angelaggie

Nope, I worry too much as it is, I'd hate to add something else to the list.

carlinlp

mcurban:

I think it would be good information to have so that you could be proactive about treatment. 

This 100%.

When someone gets sick it can takes months sometimes to figure out the real issue/cause.  If you have an idea of where to look and what you should look for, that extra time could save your life.

SaraLouiseBride08

This sounds kind of scam-y to me.

I'm all for specific tests ... such as the "breast cancer gene" or other tests when you have a family history. For example, if your mother, aunt, and grandmother all had breastcancer, I think the test for that gene is so important so you can help save your life for yourself or your children.

However ... is this just a general test to see if you may or may not have cancer or diebetes or anything in the future? First of all, I'd be nervous that it was just a scam for this genetic company to make money. I'd also be nervous that they'd find something that wasn't a legitamate concern (in other words, the test isn't specific enough). Also, I'm a bit of a conspiracist and I'd be worried this is jsut another way for insurance companies to get information about me and thus later deny me coverage.

Mrs.Talala

I dont have time right now to answer fully but this is not a great test for clinical management. I'm a generic counselor and strongly support mist genetic testing but for sure not this one. It tells you very little! I'll try to answer more later tonight.

A&R2006

AustinBride06:

I think that's really interesting!  I gather the $9/month is a fee to access the info?  Seems like that would be a one-time report sort of thing to me but I guess they're discovering new info all the time that would make it worth it?

There is a one time report, and then the additional $9/month is for info on new discoveries and a few other things.

I'm tempted to do it - we had some friends use this a few months ago, and they loved looking at the data, especially the ancestry stuff.

SareBear30

I would want to know- in fact, I want more info if it can tell me more about me! My mom was adopted and my dad passed away recently. I hadn't talked to him in years and he had no siblings so I have no info on family history. As for his death, his wife didn't want an autopsy so I don't even know how he died. Maybe if I didn't have my own problems, I wouldn't care as much, but because I do, I wish I had more medical history.

shanwalk2

yes, I would want to know.  (assuming it wouldn't be tied to insurance, as pp stated).  I think being proactive and knowledgeable is a  huge benefit as I age, and I think it would be a great source of "power", if needed.

My family is also a "behind closed door" family - where nothing is discussed that could be negative, or scary, or out of the ordinary.  My cousin had brain surgery and nobody was told until after it was over and someone asked about her scar.  Crazy town.