Thousands of women who carry mutations in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 and joined ‘private’ Facebook groups recently learned that their groups were vulnerable to a Chrome plug-in that allowed marketers to discover group members’ names and other private...
As a certified genetic counselor, one of the most common questions I’m asked is whether people who are adopted should have DNA testing through a direct-to-consumer (DTC) testing company. I’ve found that the reasons adoptees, or the parents of...
As a genetic counselor, it is always challenging to tell the patient sitting in front of you that she carries a genetic mutation (or a pathogenic variant, as it is now called) that could negatively impact her health. But perhaps more challenging, is telling the person...
Direct-to-consumer (DTC) testing is exactly what the name implies: a test sold directly to the consumer, without the help of a healthcare professional. You can pick up a kit online, at the drugstore, or even at the dollar store (!) that you can use to determine if you...
In the article, “Can Genetic Counselors Keep Up With 23andMe?” The Atlantic quotes fellow genetic counselors about how our profession can help consumers understand genetic testing. This article also highlights our upcoming product launch, “Start-ups...
DNA saved the day this week, bringing the long sought-after Golden State Killer to justice. After decades of evading arrest, the serial murderer and rapist was tracked down through genealogy testing. Genetic victory, right? So why my insomnia? Lying in bed, my...
