The complicated science of genetics has become easy and convenient to understand for everyone, all thanks to the development of a home DNA test kit. While in the past, DNA testing could only be performed by medical health professionals, it is no longer the case. With these kits, everyone can easily do genetic testing at home, and they are available everywhere at affordable costs. The genetic testing market has become a multi-million-dollar industry in recent years, owing to the success of these cheap and efficient testing kits.
Read on as we take a look at 5 reasons you should perform a DNA test at home.
Family Trees
One of the best uses of home DNA test kits is to conduct genetic testing to map out your family tree. If you are curious and want to know more about your living relatives, a DNA test and subsequent matching with a genetic bank can help. Hundreds of people who have conducted DNA testing at home have been able to find their relatives, including immediate and distant family members.
It also works the other way around. When you conduct such a test, your genetic information is registered in a central genetic bank, which can be used by your separated relatives to help find you. It works by matching their DNA sample with a large collection of genetic information and finding close matches that could be from family members.
Proactive Health Decisions
Genetic testing has long been used to study the presence of diseases that run in families or for rare non-inherited diseases. Conducting a genetic test at home can inform you about any possible diseases or rare conditions that exist in your family. It can be very beneficial and help you in making well-informed health decisions proactively.
Furthermore, you can detect your genetic predisposition to common disorders like Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, and even Alopecia through DNA testing. Finding out about these disorders can lead you to devise a pre-emptive health plan accordingly.
Detection of Breast Cancer
Arguably the biggest advantage of home DNA testing is the ability to detect various hereditary Breast Cancer genes, e.g., BRCA. Getting a positive result for the presence of these genes can prepare you for the best possible prognosis through timely screening and treatment. A positive test may only indicate a high risk for the development of the disease and not guarantee its presence. Therefore, it is advisable to obtain medical consultation from certified health professionals, whether your test is positive or negative.
Family Planning
Conducting a genetic test at home for both you and your spouse can indicate the presence of any hereditary diseases that have a likelihood of being passed on to your baby. Having such information beforehand can help you devise a family plan accordingly. Genetic testing is also used to screen neonates to detect any inherited diseases at the start of their life. It helps in making medical interventions promptly.
Cost Effectiveness & Convenience
Lastly, one of the most important benefits of a home DNA test is the convenience it provides to everyone. The home DNA test kits are much cheaper than their hospital and laboratory counterparts and do not need to be approved by your doctor or insurance provider. A majority of DNA test kits provide a non-invasive way to conduct genetic testing, which is both fast and efficient with promptly available results.
