04/09/08 Home DNA Tests

I suppose it was inevitable and a sign of the times that individuals can now purchase home DNA tests. Although the "home" aspect is misleading. You can't actually perform the testing yourself in the privacy of your own home. You can only collect the sample and send it back to the company for testing. There are a growing number of companies cashing in on advanced DNA testing that makes it possible for the average consumer to do this. While the kit itself is fairly inexpensive, the cost for the actual testing can be a few hundred dollars to more than $1000. The tests are used to determine anything from paternity or fetus gender to possible tendency for serious disease, like breast or ovarian cancer. Sounds good, right? Think again. Without any consumer protections in place from the FDA it's hard to prove whether these tests are accurate and properly performed. Inaccurate results could create emotional and legal devastation. And some companies might just share your information. Talk about the ultimate in possible identity theft.