A genetic test can help determine the risk of developing several dozen diseases
The test uses a saliva sample to identify more than 100 units of genetic information, including the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, certain types of cancer and baldness. It can also predict whether you whether you like coffee or will hate Brussels sprouts, as well as what type of physical activity is the best way to look like your genotype.
The test is already available in the US and is being sold on the Internet company 23andMe, which is partially funded by Google. The customer simply places a sample of their saliva into a tube, closes it and sends it to a laboratory for analysis of 23andMe. 4-6 weeks later, the person receives a detailed report on the state of their health. Armed with this information, people can take better care of their health, experts say. For example, the results of this analysis can give someone the impulse to quit smoking or regularly undergo a medical examination, with the result that the disease can be detected at an early stage in order to best treat it.
The test is already available in the US and is being sold on the Internet company 23andMe, which is partially funded by Google. The customer simply places a sample of their saliva into a tube, closes it and sends it to a laboratory for analysis of 23andMe. 4-6 weeks later, the person receives a detailed report on the state of their health. Armed with this information, people can take better care of their health, experts say. For example, the results of this analysis can give someone the impulse to quit smoking or regularly undergo a medical examination, with the result that the disease can be detected at an early stage in order to best treat it.