Genetic Testing Overview
Since the completion of the sequence of the human genome in 2003 there has been a virtual explosion of information related to how genes influence every aspect of health and disease with new reports being published in the scientific literature practically every day. Attention has now turned from analysis of the basic DNA sequence of the human genome to identifying those variations in sequence that make everyone different. Genes contribute to things like not only how tall or short we are, or what eye color we have, but to whether or not we would make better sprinters or marathon runners, or if we should be more careful about eating more fruits and vegetables and less cheeseburgers since we may have a genetic predisposition to obesity, or type 2 diabetes.
The technology for DNA sequencing and typing has also advanced to where it is now economically feasible for individuals to find out what their genotypes are – the basic DNA sequences that are unique to each and every one of us. This information can now be used, along with family history and our own personal lifestyle choices, to better understand how our genes can influence our health.
Research scientists continue to identify important genes that are linked to a host of diseases and other related health and medical conditions. While this information is very useful to pharmaceutical companies in designing new and more effective treatments for such diseases, drug development can require a decade or more from discovery to treatment. However, we don’t have to wait for better drugs to be developed when we can access our personal genome information now, and use it to make informed lifestyle choices.
Understanding one’s personal genetic makeup – which genes may provide some degree of protection or contribute to a susceptibility to a various diseases and health-related conditions – is simply information which many would find useful and helpful.
The Gene Essence test and report has been designed to capture the most recent and comprehensive set of data related to new gene discovery and brings the latest in genetic research directly to you. Your Gene Essence Report will be updated as new gene-disease/condition associations are reported in the scientific literature and captured in the Gene Essence database.
If you would like to start with a basic primer on genetics, please see DNA, Genes and Genomes, in A Brief Guide to Genomics, National Human Genome Institute of the National Institutes of Health.
