Decoding Genetics
How genetic testing and editing will influence the future of healthcare Tailored, personalized medicine is changing so much of how we manage our health. To determine patients’ individual healthcare risks and offer specialized treatments, many physicians and healthcare experts are turning to genetic testing — along with delving into gene (or genome) editing — to […]
DNA Dos and Don’ts
What you need to know about direct-to-consumer genetic health tests I stood in front of the bathroom sink, spitting into the tube for what seemed like half an hour, trying to get enough saliva for the at-home genetic test. The test had been sitting on my desk for several weeks, unopened. I wasn’t sure I wanted […]
Can DNA Markers Called Telemores Predict Aging?
Harvard Health Blog It’s a bit like clockwork: Soon after an important scientific finding about health, a slew of self-help products arrive to support it. Added sugars are unhealthy? Try this diet. A sedentary lifestyle leads to disease? Do this workout. So it’s not surprising that increasing knowledge about DNA markers for longevity called telomeres […]
Ask the Harvard Experts: Will a Genetic Test Predict My Disease Risk?
Q: I am considering ordering a genetic test to see if I am at risk for cancer or Alzheimer’s disease. What are the pros and cons? A: That’s a question many people are asking now that the FDA has given the green light to third-party direct-to-consumer (DTC) test kits that look for genetic risk information. […]
