At-home genetic testing: What to know before you buy

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Story Published: Mar 27, 2008 at 6:55 PM PDT

Story Updated: Mar 27, 2008 at 6:58 PM PDT

By Connie Thompson

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It used to be you had to go to the doctor to learn your potential genetic link to different medical problems. Now you can take a DNA test at home and get the results by mail.

With more options hitting the market almost daily, there are key things you should know before you fork over your cash. Breakthroughs in genetic testing are fueling a proliferation of at-home test kits.

For a fee, you can test for paternity, ethnicity, or your genetic potential to get mental and physical diseases.

One of the newest tests is a genetic test for hair loss. Targeted toward men, the DNA baldness test sells over the Internet for $149 and is headed to doctor's offices and drugstores.

Some men who are already bald say it would have made a difference to have this test years ago. But genetics experts say legitimacy is a big concern with any home DNA test.

Here are 5 things you should ask before you spend your money:

Is the test reliable? Is the seller certified or validated by a reputable medical association?

How accurate are the results? Does the company disclose the error rate?

Does the company clearly explain what the results do and do not mean?

And once you have the results, what will you do? Will the test simply create a false sense of security or unwarranted fear?

Finally, what about privacy? Who else will have access to your personal information and how else will it be used?

More information:

Comparison of State Laws for Direct-to-Consumer Testing

A Healthy Dose of Skepticism May Be the Best Subscription

What is direct-to-consumer genetic testing?

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