Genetic testing has exploded on the consumer market, and advancements in genetic science are offering seismic changes to how we view our health status. But just how accurate are genetic tests? What are the pitfalls to commercializing this relatively new science? Powers discusses these issues as well as concerns over privacy and ethical conundrums related to gene editing.
Key Citations

* Different types of genetic tests: National Genome Research Institute
* Article about limits of genetic testing: MIT Technology Review
* Longitudinal study about heart disease: Framingham Heart Study
* NIH program to study genetics of 1 million Americans: All of Us Research Program
* Primer on CRISPR-Cas9 technology: U.S. National Library of Medicine
* Unintended consequences of gene editing: The Wall Street Journal

Transcript
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Welcome to The Powers Report Podcast. I am your host, Janis Powers. The show brings you candid, unique and data-driven perspectives on the health care industry. I believe that any solution that is going to positively impact the American health care system has to satisfy two major criteria: financial viability and behavioral incentive alignment. In other words, access to high quality care can only be achieved if we can afford it, and if we behave in ways that optimize our health. Please subscribe to our show on iTunes or on your preferred podcasting platform and connect with us on social media. Again, this is Janis Powers, and welcome to The Powers Report Podcast.
Genetic testing is all over the news these days and for good reason. It’s an exciting area of health care that leverages technology to find out information about our unique profiles in a way we’ve never seen before. In this show, I will talk about genetic testing and some of the latest technological advancements in genetic science. I’ll also talk about how the study and commercialization of genetic science can best help patients help themselves.
The public’s amplified fascination with genetic testing dates back to an event that occurred…less than a generation ago. The human genome was sequenced in 2003. It was a massive scientific breakthrough, led by the National Human Genome Research Institute, the Department of Energy, and partners with International Human Genome Sequencing Institute. By “sequenced” it means that researchers were able to identify the order of the pairs of DNA that make up our genes. The order that the genes are in is critical, because there are relationships between the pairs of DNA, based on where they are. Scientists are just scratching the surface on understanding this part of the human gene. But sequencing has enabled an incredible volume of research, therapies, drugs and, most recently, consumer products, to be brought to market.
Genetic testing covers a broad spectrum of study. The National Human Genome Research Institute has a great summary of the different types of tests that are available. Predictive genetic tests are some of the tests done by consumer companies like 23andMe and AncestryDNA. These tests can tell you the likelihood that you may develop a disease. Diagnostic testing is different. This is done oftentimes by a physician or other clinician to determine whether a genetic factor is contributing to a healt...