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Published online 28 May 2008 | Nature 453, 570-571 (2008) | doi:10.1038/453570a
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Genetic testing for everyone
Private companies are starting to test customers' DNA for gene variants linked to an increased risk of conditions such as obesity or Alzheimer's disease. Helen Pearson looks at whether knowledge really is power when it comes to disease avoidance.
Terry Drotos was adopted at birth. She knows nothing of her biological family's medical history and so cannot use it to gauge her or her daughter's future health.
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Although the expectation that prediction based on genetic testing, 2-3% higher risks of obesity and T2DM, for example, will work as a strong motivator for changing life-style behavior to escape disease onset may not look realistic, direct-to-consumer genetic testing will bear fruit in the long run as a healthcare product.