Have Any Of You Done Any DNA Genetic Testing?

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Ricardodaforce

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No
I was thinking about using 23andme, purely out of interest. Has anyone here used their services?
 
Nope.

Although reading a few reviews this morning and the basics of the FDA ban it's maybe not quite as bad as I thought.

What would you do if you were told you were at risk of a certain condition? Would you change your lifestyle or stress it into existence with worry? What if you were told you carried the BRCA gene*? What if you also had daughters? Is there anything you could learn that you'd be better off knowing?


* they may have stopped revealing the results for this and other more serious genes, the reviews aren't clear. It may now be little more than genetic confirmation of your eye colour, ear shape and your ancestral immigration status.
 
My brother has done. Revealed some interesting stuff about ethnicity etc. I plan on doing it as well.

As regards genetic info - it is only information and can only hurt you if you let it. My late grandmother suffered from a degenerative nervous disorder that left her wheelchair bound from her mid 40s. As a teenager I agreed to be tested as part of a research project into the condition. It didn't bother me that I might be told I only had another 25 years of mobility - I always figure better forewarned that not.
 
Unfortunately the Michael Mosley show about which health tests are a good idea or not isn't available on iPlayer at the moment, I have quite a similar attitude to his and his approach to explaining the relative benefits vs. the risk on knowing is well described in the programme.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b065yrjp
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/aug/13/are-health-tests-really-a-good-idea-review
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-33855895

Gentlemen, read/watch the PSA comments..
 
Llamaman said:
My brother has done. Revealed some interesting stuff about ethnicity etc. I plan on doing it as well.
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My wife did as well. It revealed all sorts of interesting stuff

Llamaman said:
s regards genetic info - it is only information and can only hurt you if you let it. My late grandmother suffered from a degenerative nervous disorder that left her wheelchair bound from her mid 40s. As a teenager I agreed to be tested as part of a research project into the condition. It didn't bother me that I might be told I only had another 25 years of mobility - I always figure better forewarned that not.
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I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother. But you're not right about it only being able to hurt you if you let it. My Dad suffers from a degenerative neurological condition as well. I spent quite a long time talking with one of the consultants at the NHNN a coupe of years ago. Atleast in the case of his condition you become obligated to tell the DVLA and motor insurers if your result is positive. As well as which it has impacts on your ability to get life insurance, I'd have to surrender various gliding licences too (if it effected me it would have an impact on certain careers and fire arm licences also).All for knowledge of an untreatable condition. It can hurt you lots.
 
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I've not personally used 23 and me, but know someone well who did out of scientific curiosity, and I've donated DNA samples to Play DNA for development. While those who are sensible & stable can find information about predisposition to disease useful, some will find it quite disturbing and very unhelpful, to the point of coming to harm.

A while back I worked alongside the founder of the company now called Fitness Genes. Sam & Stuart were always very careful to ensure their work had a solid scientific grounding, and were also careful to avoid some of the more questionable areas that might nudge their testing over into diagnostic territory, which is where the real problems lie.
 
Let us know how you get on with it and whether you're pleased with the result (but keep the result to yourself unless you want to share it).
 
Sample has been received in their distribution hub. Will be a few weeks before I see results.
 
What kind of results are you hoping for?
 
Ricardodaforce said:
I'm not hoping for anything. However I am interested in finding out about my ancestry composition and the health overview will be an interesting read.
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Will anything you (might possibly) learn affect your life?
 
I have been specifically tested for the BRCA gene mutations following my diagnosis of breast cancer aged 32 and tested positive for a BRCA2 mutation - which also puts me at increased risk of ovarian cancer. This has allowed me to chose preventative treatments / additional screening which is a good thing. I also had the option to be tested for TP53 but after discussing it with the genetic counsellor I opted against including this. The reason was that knowing you have a TP53 mutation puts you at increased risk of multiple issues with very limited (if any) additional screening options etc - so I decided the negatives of knowing would outweigh the positive.
 
This test project looks more interesting to me, particularly the extended biome options:
http://britishgut.org/
 
Alastair said:
What if you were told you carried the BRCA gene*? What if you also had daughters? Is there anything you could learn that you'd be better off knowing?
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BRCA gene mutations also impact males - to a lesser extent than females, but men can get breast cancer and they are also linked with an increased risk of prostate cancer.
 
viv1969 said:
Do they inform you of possibly poor genes such as BRCA?
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They used to, but the absence of any counselling resulted in some strong criticisms. I couldn't see anything definitive online as to which actual tests the mail order tests included currently, other than some biogeographic ancestry markers.
 
Ricardodaforce said:
Rather than play forum ping pong, go have a look yourself.
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Whoa...wtf?
I'm asking a question, not being p***y.
Jeez Richard.....if you're not happy to answer questions, might I suggest you keep things to yourself?
 
viv1969 said:
Do they inform you of possibly poor genes such as BRCA?
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The BRCA genes themselves are good things - they are tumour suppressors. It is a mutation in these genes that is the problem.
 
viv1969 said:
Whoa...wtf?
I'm asking a question, not being p***y.
Jeez Richard.....if you're not happy to answer questions, might I suggest you keep things to yourself?
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I really don't mind asking questions, I thought it would be easier for YOU if you went direct to the source.

However, seeing as you don't want to:

Does the 23andMe service include analysis of the BRCA gene?


The 23andMe Personal Genome Service® includes one report on Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome. This report analyses three mutations (two in the BRCA1 gene and one in the BRCA2 gene) that account for the majority of BRCA mutations among women with Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. While individuals who are not of Ashkenazi Jewish descent may carry one of these mutations, these three mutations are not common outside of the Jewish community.

The Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome report is not equivalent to clinical testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2. This report only covers three out of the hundreds of mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes that can cause cancer. Receiving a report that says “variant not detected” from 23andMe does not rule out the possibility that you may carry another cancer-causing mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 or another gene associated with hereditary cancer.

23andMe does not offer a complete BRCA analysis or a diagnostic BRCA panel. If you have a personal or family history of early onset cancer, or you are interested in a complete BRCA panel, talk to your physician or other healthcare professional.

You can view a complete list of the diseases and conditions analysed by the 23andMe service in your country here. While many of our reports address medical issues, it is important to remember that 23andMe Services are neither a diagnostic tool nor a substitute for a physician's advice.

23andMe Services are for research, informational, and educational use only. We do not provide medical advice and the service is not a diagnostic test. If you have concerns or questions about what you learn through 23andMe, you should contact your physician or other health care provider.
 
Daysleeper40 said:
The BRCA gene themselves are good things - they are tumour suppressors. It is a mutation in these genes that is the problem.
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I understand that.
It's certain people's reactions to a simple question that beggar belief.
 
Ricardodaforce said:
I really don't mind asking questions, I thought it would be easier for YOU if you went direct to the source.

However, seeing as you don't want to:

Does the 23andMe service include analysis of the BRCA gene?


The 23andMe Personal Genome Service® includes one report on Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome. This report analyses three mutations (two in the BRCA1 gene and one in the BRCA2 gene) that account for the majority of BRCA mutations among women with Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. While individuals who are not of Ashkenazi Jewish descent may carry one of these mutations, these three mutations are not common outside of the Jewish community.

The Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome report is not equivalent to clinical testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2. This report only covers three out of the hundreds of mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes that can cause cancer. Receiving a report that says “variant not detected” from 23andMe does not rule out the possibility that you may carry another cancer-causing mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 or another gene associated with hereditary cancer.

23andMe does not offer a complete BRCA analysis or a diagnostic BRCA panel. If you have a personal or family history of early onset cancer, or you are interested in a complete BRCA panel, talk to your physician or other healthcare professional.

You can view a complete list of the diseases and conditions analysed by the 23andMe service in your country here. While many of our reports address medical issues, it is important to remember that 23andMe Services are neither a diagnostic tool nor a substitute for a physician's advice.

23andMe Services are for research, informational, and educational use only. We do not provide medical advice and the service is not a diagnostic test. If you have concerns or questions about what you learn through 23andMe, you should contact your physician or other health care provider.
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You introduced the very concept to the forums.
Brushing aside legitimate questions, well I don't see what you hoped to achieve with that.
 
viv1969 said:
You introduced the very concept to the forums.
Brushing aside legitimate questions, well I don't see what you hoped to achieve with that.
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Ruth what is your problem? I wasn't brushing aside anything. I was trying to make it easier for YOU to get an answer to YOUR questions. Really can't see the need to turn this thread into a car crash. I was being helpful.
 
viv1969 said:
I understand that.
It's certain people's reactions to a simple question that beggar belief.
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Tbh I'd not even seen the post you are referring to when I posted mine (and don't see any issue with it either). As someone with a BRCA mutation I find a lot of people don't understand that 'having' a BRCA gene is not a bad thing - that is the only reason mentioned it.
 
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You also need to be aware of the limitations of the methods that 23andme (and similar mail order gene testing services) use, Google will turn-up several discussions by doctors and clinicians as well as the history of their turbulent relationship with the regulators.
 
OldCarlos said:
Rich, you calling conversation `ping pong` didn't help. ;)
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I thought that for the benefit of the forum. Question/answer/question/answer/question/answer from the same 2 members wasn't going to make the for most interesting read, hence the linking to the source of the answers.
 
Alastair said:
You also need to be aware of the limitations of the methods that 23andme (and similar mail order gene testing services) use, Google will turn-up several discussions by doctors and clinicians as well as the history of their turbulent relationship with the regulators.
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Indeed, and the USA's attitude to that very company. However, as I stated above my primary interest in the ancestry element of it. I believe I have North American ancestry, but have no evidence. It will be interesting to see if the results confirm it.
 
Ricardodaforce said:
Ruth what is your problem? I wasn't brushing aside anything. I was trying to make it easier for YOU to get an answer to YOUR questions. Really can't see the need to turn this thread into a car crash. I was being helpful.
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I don't have a problem.
I asked a simple question is all.
I hope you get the answers you require .
I also hope you are spared any questions you don't.
 
Well even though I created the thread, it looks as if my presence won't allow it to run it's course peacefully. Which is a shame. I will ask Marcel if he can remove my right to post in it, so you guys can enjoy the (hopefully) pertinent discussion about this kind of service.
Have fun all.
 
Yeah turns out I'm a alien :coat:
 
Ricardodaforce said:
Well even though I created the thread, it looks as if my presence won't allow it to run it's course peacefully. Which is a shame. I will ask Marcel if he can remove my right to post in it, so you guys can enjoy the (hopefully) pertinent discussion about this kind of service.
Have fun all.
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Get a grip man! :confused: It's an interesting subject. (y)

Edit to add. My better half has suffered with cancer & it lead to her sister & daughter having tests.
 
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Ricardodaforce said:
Indeed, and the USA's attitude to that very company. However, as I stated above my primary interest in the ancestry element of it. I believe I have North American ancestry, but have no evidence. It will be interesting to see if the results confirm it.
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As long as it's a bit of fun. I was offered the ancestry element free as part of a surname study a few years ago but declined.

I do worry that some people may take the results provided as "gospel" and the health markers might feed an unhealthy hypochondria in susceptible individuals.
 
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