Understanding DNA and DNA Kits

DNA testing has now become available to consumers at amazingly inexpensive prices. This unlocks the potential for totally new preventative health interventions and insights, but also demands understanding of genetics and how to properly interpretative the tests. The data without understanding is not useful and misinterpretation can be dangerous. This session will start with a primer on the basic concepts related to DNA and the tests commonly used for consumers, and a overview of tools for interpreting that data. This is followed by a personal reflection of J.R. Logan who did a home 23andMe genetic test in 2015 before the FDA allowed release of health information and used a 3rd party DNA analysis tool to discover a serious but treatable genetic disorder. This experience fueled enthusiasm for understanding the utility of DNA and led to discoveries in the family genealogy and eventually doing a full genetic sequence. JR will share insights from his process of finding resources and interpreting DNA data as a DIYer. Including understanding file format from a full sequence like Dante Labs Ellen Matloff from My Gene Counsel will provide her own insights into how individuals can benefit from an understanding of their DNA in an ideal circumstance. She will contextualize the question of learning about your DNA health information in the larger debate within medicine and the risks of unguided interpretation. She wil also expanded on the issues of privacy and discuss the state of the marketplace for DNA companies.