Would You Buy an Over-the-Counter Genetics Test?

No I wouldn't, but then I'm neither neurotic nor gullible . I am a tad hypochondriac (well whadda ya expect I'm male) and I worry enough anyway.
So that's still a no...
Anyway it prob don't work for cats
Del

I'm sure there is something available for cats, Del, since you can now determine what species are in your mixed-breed dog: http://cr4.globalspec.com/blogentry/6111

This testing (the human variety) raises mixed emotions in me. I have a chronic autoimmune disorder and there is some history of this in my family. I would be curious to know what shows up in my DNA - in addition to the laundry list of health problems other family members have had.

Sorry about your autoimune prob, but of course it raises the obvious dilemma, if you could tell a potential child had a 'problem' what would you do?
I sometime think ignorance is bliss.
I wouldn't want to be playing 'god' with my life or anyone elses.
What if you you could identify a gene which may increase your likelihood of contracting some disease...the whole thing's a nightmare.
Del

If I knew I had a lot of "bad genes", I probably wouldn't have kids of my own. I have been through a lot of things I wouldn't wish on an enemy, let alone a child.

I wouldn't and for the same reason as you. But here's the thing, we don't really know very much about most diseases.

We simply can't say this gene does this and this gene does that it's not that simple(endless docos are perhaps to blame for overly simplifing the science so that the average lay person can understand)

Really it's not much better than educated guessing and I can see it causing more harm than good.

People are looking for the simple in a complicated world, personally I like it complicated but perhaps that's just me.

What I understood from the article is that you buy a sample collector for $20 then send it in to be analyzed for the $79.

So a lab will do the actual testing and give you the results. It basically saves you a trip to the doctors or clinic.

I see it as a means of giving the government a DNA sample on you if thy haven't got one already.

I would be more interested in using the test to check my ancestry than for disease.

I'm supposed to be German & Hungarian but I'm sure there is a larger mix in my blood than that. My mom tried to trace the family tree the usual way through a paper trail and didn't get very far before a reaching a dead end. Our line just suddenly stops going back about 30 years before WW1. Maybe we're clones or were dropped here by aliens.

But as far as checking for disease. Genetics probably only plays a small part in if you get a particular disease or not. There are many other factors to consider. Life style, Environment, etc.

Then there is the issue of personal security with these test. Who has access and what happens if your insurance company gets a hold of the info. If your found to be genetically inclined for a disease will they drop your insurance or just raise your rates so high that you can't afford it.

Our situation ran the other way, but, yep, it turns out we ARE German, 100%. But up till 400 years or so ago, we were in Germany (our spelling of the name, there are several), but no sign of us since that 400 years or so back. Turns out we all went to Holland, due to a pogrom in Germany against Mennonites. So, how did we get a Dutch spelling to our name? Glad you asked. We actually are Mennonites (I'm not, but the rest of the family tree is, by and large) who have cycled back and forth from the German Low Countries to Holland and return many times throughout history. In fact, 400 years before that last trip to Holland, we made the trip the other way. Before that, who knows? But the point is, DNA COULD determine our heritage. But what would it gain us? Probably not worth the effort. Its good enough for me to know that I, and my progeny, all three current generations, are American. Cause when you look at ANYONE now (probably even the Japanese, and THEY like to think intermixing never happened to them), its doubtful they are pure-blood anything. Too much history of all being fair in Love AND War, so too much inter-mingling (or not too much, if you aren't somewhat bigoted about it. Miscegenation is still in the dictionary, but personally I couldn't care less!) has gone by for anyone to be able to "claim purity" (Aryan Brotherhood, anyone?)

I'll pass on this test.

I'm Turkish Van with a bit of Persian...I think there is some Snow Leopard waaaay back.
Del

I remember a friend I worked with in Argentina - He had no interest in being tested for chagas disease (a parasite that Darwin may have died of). His sister had been but as there was no cure - what to do? Better to be left in the dark about some things.

I worry more about businesses getting hold of these kits and mandating their employees and applicants use them, then determine if the employee or applicant is a "long term health risk" to their insurance system.

Or, if you're self-employed and trying to get insurance...

There's already a big problem with pre-existing condition situations.

Lots of room for abuse, IMO.

Hooker

These tests can be both helpful, and can cause unnecessary worry, when people discover that they have genetic defects.

It is important to recognize that almost everyone in the human population is a recessive carrier of some genetic defect. It is for this reason that we do not allow marriage between brothers and sisters or close cousins. While gene testing is new, the knowledge of the higher risk of birth defects when close relatives marry is ancient. "No Body is Perfect," would be one way of saying it.

The value of the new testing tools is undeniable; how we use the new tools is a test of our human values in respecting human life.

Nope. I'm already 100% certain that my pets are people too. I have no need for a box to confirm it.