DNA home tests, also called direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests, have some advantages to consumers, but there are also many reasons to be cautious when using one of these tests. There are over a thousand different DNA home tests available. These include everything from DNA home tests to ascertain paternity to tests that look at gene disorders like cystic fibrosis, to those that look at multiple genetic factors in an attempt to determine an individuals predisposition to a disease.
DNA home tests that are marketed directly to consumers are legal in about half the states in the United States, although they are banned in many European countries. One of the dangers of home DNA tests is that for the tests looking at genetic disease predisposition, the individual taking the test may not fully understand how such diseases are also influenced by a range of environmental, social, behavioral and genetic factors. As a result, they may falsely conclude they have more or less risk for a disease based on the results of home DNA tests.
This is one of the main reasons so many states and European countries have banned the use of home DNA tests. But also, many of the companies that sell home DNA test kits have an interest in marketing and selling individuals supplements to improve your health based on your results, and there is serious concern that the commercial interests of many of these companies may be influencing the information and the manner they relate to consumers who use at home DNA tests.
There is, however, at least one major advantage to using an home DNA tests: privacy concerns. Although you need to read the fine print regarding privacy and disclosure for any company you purchase a home DNA test from, the desire to keep the results private is one major motivating factor for many consumers.
Recently the American Societies of Human Genetics made some recommendations regarding how to best ascertain and use at home DNA tests. They suggest that you carefully read the privacy policy for the company to ascertain who confidential the results will be and if there will be any risk to your insurance if there are negative results. The company should be able to tell you in plain language how predictive and scientifically valid their results are, especially in comparison to other disease risk factors. The company should also have some policy regarding how to deal with the emotional consequences of a result showing predisposition to diseases. And finally, the laboratory should be certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988.
As common sense always suggests, however, with any home DNA test that you are purchasing online or elsewhere, be sure to read the fine print and make sure the tests come from high quality labs with a national reputation.
For more information about home DNA paternity test kits, please return to the Legal DNA Paternity Testing homepage.