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...
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...
The DTC genetic testing revolution is here. More than 12 million people have had testing via an at-home spit kit and the numbers are skyrocketing. People have their own raw genetic data in hand, are curious, and are searching for answers in their DNA. It is safe to...
