Personalized health care within reach? Say hello to the brave new world of whole genome sequencing!

8 years ago | Genomics

By Joy Stephenson-Laws, JD, Founder

I will be honest and admit, I never quite understood what whole genome sequencing was until I tried it. I provided a sample of my saliva and waited about two months for the results.

At the end of the two-month period, I received hundreds of user-friendly reports that provided me with genetic information in a myriad of areas, including the following:

Ancestry
Breast cancer risk
Skin care
Insulin sensitivity
Risk for alcohol dependence
Whether a reduced sodium diet or diuretics would benefit me if I were diagnosed with hypertension
High blood pressure risk
Heart attack risk
Rheumatoid arthritis risk
Multiple sclerosis risk
Obesity risk/predisposition
Cholesterol risk assessment
Type 1 & 2 diabetes risk
Pain sensitivity
Folate diet
Lactose tolerance
Snacking
Food desire/potential for food addiction
Age-related macular disease
Heroin addiction risk analysis
Depression
Antidepressant side effects
Sweet tooth
Comprehensive personality analysis
Atrial fibrillation risk analysis
Osteoporosis risk
Phytoestrogen effectiveness to prevent breast or prostate cancer
Life expectancy
Keloid formation
Viagra effect on erectile response
Weight loss response to exercise
Endurance training
Saturated fat to obesity, tendency to consume saturated fat
Weight gain on high-fat diet
Eating disinhibition/bulimia
Weight loss and regain
Strength training
Body fat response to exercise
Exercise-induced ischemia (reduced blood flow and oxygen) and much more, including what prescription drugs would be effective if I had certain medical conditions

Clearly, I received a ton of information about myself, but it is the New Year, and as usual, one of my resolutions is to lose a few pounds and exercise more. Well, I found my genes relative to exercise and weight loss very informative. Apparently, I am predisposed to being fat, and if I lose weight, I have a tendency to regain it. Thank God, my body fat responds well to exercise, because there are some people who are unable to significantly reduce their body fat with exercise, and I am not predisposed to gaining weight on a high-fat diet.

Even though I detest strength training, it is apparently good for me. I was secretly hoping I would be among the group of people that strength training did not affect -- no luck there -- because it does not work for everyone. I am tolerant to endurance training, and I am unlikely to have exercise-induced ischemia.

As I mentioned in the list above, my genes may also help predict if and how I will respond to certain medications like antidepressants. According to the report, I “may have a higher risk of sexual dysfunction when taking anti-depressants.” My genes may also help predict how I would respond to certain types of chemotherapy or radiation, a recent study suggests.

Researchers found that certain genes (called CEN/KT genes) were associated with chromosomal instability. This chromosomal instability is a hallmark for cancer, but the relationship here is quite complex. But essentially, this instability may allow the cancer to spread, and it may make you more vulnerable to the DNA-damaging effects of chemo/radiation.

So if I were diagnosed with cancer, my doctor could know ahead of time that I have these genes. As a result, I could avoid going through a toxic treatment that would end up being of no benefit to me.

So yes, there are many benefits to knowing your genes!

Overall, knowing your genes may help you get more personalized health care and treatment, and make more informed choices about your health and fitness.

Patients should be informed of choices regarding treatment options and recommendations from health care providers about which options are compatible with their genome.

And for those of you who love this kind of stuff, how about a trip down memory lane? Remember Gattaca?

This movie came out in 1997. The story is basically this: A genetically inferior man assumes the identity of a superior one in order to pursue his lifelong dream of space travel.

However, I don’t think the question is so much one of inferior genes anymore; it’s more what you can do with knowledge of your genetic code to improve your health and make better decisions. And hey, if space travel is your thing, you’re better off travelling to space in the best shape of your life. From my experience, knowing my genes has made a world of positive difference in my ability to be proactive about my health.

Enjoy Your Healthy Life!

Comments (5)

Guest

Where did you order the tests from?

Guest

Can you share where you ordered these tests from?

Guest

You can obtain the test by clicking here --- http://phlabs.com/phService/ServiceDetails/371/0

It can be performed anywhere in the country.

Guest

Donnamarie Ott

Is there anyone that does this testing near Blackwood, NJ in southern New Jersey?

Thank you

Guest

@Donnamarie - The test can be performed anywhere in the country. We are able to mail you the kit and all you need to do is to donate some saliva and return it. You will have your results in 2 months.

Let us know whether you have further questions by contacting us at info@phlabs.org