Commercial DNA Testing

By: Stella Klinger, Brenda Hernandez, Giselle Cuellar, Andrea Cardenas

What is it?
● DNA-based tests that look specifically at certain locations of genomes to
determine heredity, mutations or diseases

● With less than $1000 anyone in the next 4 years will be able to know their
genome sequence
○ Advances in technology are driving down the costs for DNA sequencing and becoming more
accessible to not only the sick but the curious
Process
● 23andme(one of the many DNA-Testing Programs)
○ Signing legal documents, terms and condition/informed consent
○ Send in your spit or hair to a DNA company in a tube
○ Extract genetic material, wash away proteins and fats away
○ Uses genotyping, lab extracts DNA from saliva using genotyping chip
https://youtu.be/0gC8RQ7PemM

○ Human genome 99.9% alike, but 23&me will show a million sites in your
genes where your DNA spelling differs
○ Send back results on ancestry, health risks, genetic defects
Legal Stipulations
● Requires the ability to match samples with legitimate preciseness and with the ability
to tell one source from another
● Procedures that are scientifically acceptable must have the reliable measurement and
comparison of physical features
● Courts demand a more credible display of the identical degree of individualization by
DNA tests than by any other frequently used forensic style
● Need prove that DNA profiles differ from one another but also quantitative estimates
of how rare the analyzed characteristics are in subgroups and particular groups
● Records of DNA samples should be made available to all parties
Law Regarding Commercial DNA
● In 2013 23andme got in trouble for selling personal genome kits in the united states
until they got FDA approval verifying that they were accurate
● They are now allowing 23andme to market test.
● There is a legislation that pertains to employment and or health insurance protecting
against discrimination based on your genetic information but March 2017 House
Committee on Education/Workforce secretly pass bill (Hr1313) which allows
employer to request genetic testing, penalties if they don’t
● Idea is to make employees health and reduce healthcare cost

Possible Laws: DNA testing companies can not send info to employers

● Everyone should have accurate results from doctors and clinic about your dna
Specific Case
● Filmmaker Michael Ursy suspect in 1996 murder
● Father submitted DNA to a private genetics company
owned by Ancestry.com, police narrowed down on the filmmaker
● Familial searching
● Police searched DNA database and found 34/35 alleles matching father then
narrowed it to son
● Usry submitted his DNA to authorities, didn't match,found innocent.
● First time they had to employ private genetic databases
● Policy allows for companies to send DNA result if court order
Financial Cost
Pros:
● It is less expensive than going
through a specialist
● It's accessible to everyone
● Insurance companies do not
need to get involved
● $60-$200
Cons:
● Quantity over quality
● Since it’s cheaper not as
much effort goes into your
testing
● Can end up getting
unnecessary tests done for “
risks”
Moral Code
Pros
● You “ know thyself ” (not taken
seriously)
● Ability to make lifestyle changes,
such as diet and exercise, based on
the testing results
● Allows you to be prepared
● It’s accurate with predisposition of
some diseases/health issues
Cons
● Drastically affects your lifestyle
can be not accurate
● Reason why it is not
recommended by doctors
● Paranoia, leads to bad health,
depression
● False sense of security
Religious Beliefs
Pros Cons

● Most religions aren’t against it.
● You should not be able to predict
your future
● Christian science religion
○ Believe in glasses, canes,
and maybe broken bones,
but often do not go to
doctors for any other
medical issue
Societal impact
Pros
● People can be more aware their
health risks = healthier life
● Able to obtain personal genetic
information quickly and
privately without a
“prescription”
● Leads to healthy
babies(designer babies)
Cons
● Going to be more accepted by
society = more fear and anxiety
will result from that
● People can judge you based on
results
● People would rely too much on
genetic testing
● Creating “perfect” babies allows
society to be unaccepting
Future Implications
Pros
● Live longer
● Could create more jobs
● More research towards DNA
testing
● GINA
● Creating new treatments-
through sequencing method
Cons
● Cherry picking
(especially for employers)
● Scam companies to make money
● Privacy is invaded
● DNA can be sold/used(more
crimes)
Pros
● From genome sequence and comparison, can find drug treatments
○ John in “Cracking Your Genetic Code” - BRAF mutation
■ 29:51 min - 31:06 min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_zBGB2r8Wc
○ Paul Glynn- $290,000 worth a year for CF treatment
Cons
● Not entirely accurate - the million sites that 23andme look at to predispose
you from diseases ecompasses less than 1% of your DNA
● 600 words, 900 page
● DNA testing on your genome can be shared with other people or companies
to gather data
● Most diseases controlled by environmental factors
Questions/Discussion
● If there is so much uncertainty about DNA commercial testing then why do
people do it?
● If you could, would you have your DNA tested? Why or why not?
● Should companies be allowed to send your DNA information to employers?
● If you were to do commercial DNA testing and you found out you were at a
high risk for a certain disease or diseases what would you do? Would you
believe the results?
● Do you think DNA results will change the way people think about each other
in the future? Why or why not?