DNA Testing: The future of preventative health care?
Vitality owners Discovery have partnered with Human Longevity Inc.(HSI), a US bioscience company, to deliver cutting edge DNA testing and analysis to it’s customers in South Africa. Discovery will be the first insurance company in the world to offer customers DNA testing on a commercial level. This is a further expansion of Discovery Health’s focus on preventative health care.
Discovery Health Chief Executive Dr Jonathan Broomberg said:
“We believe that this is a pioneering approach in global health insurance, and will enable us to provide our clients with the world’s most advanced, current knowledge on their genetically determined disease risks, as well as on personalised health, wellness and medical treatment strategies.”
“Huge change in cost and scale”
HSI were founded by Craig Venter in San Diego last year. Venter was one of the first people to sequence the human genome and is a pioneer of synthetic biological organisms.
Venter said:
“The cost of sequencing has changed greatly over the last few years. In 2000 my genome cost $100 million to sequence. There’s been a huge change in technology. It was a big deal to do one genome in a year, now we do over 3,000 or more in a month, so there’s been a huge change in cost and scale”
The proposed basic price of the test to read a persons ‘exome’, which is the part of the human genome containing all 20,000 active genes, has been set at $250 (around £175). The test requires only a saliva sample – yet it is far more comprehensive than those currently available through consumer DNA testing companies.
How would a test help you?
If people choose to have their DNA sequenced they will receive a comprehensive report about their genome. The doctor or consultant will provide a detailed individual report which will include disease risks and strategies to improve health based on the DNA
results.
By receiving personalised and precise information, clients can be proactive about there health, and stand a greater chance of preventing and treating life threatening conditions.
Venter said of the testing:
“My own genomic data showed that I had an increased risk of melanoma… so I was looking out for it and when I discovered a small melanoma on my back I had it removed immediately. Otherwise it could have been fatal.”
Angelina Jolie famously used DNA testing because of a family history of breast cancer.
Jolie’s grandmother, mother and aunt all died of the cancer. When the test revealed mutations indicating she would be likely to develop the cancer as well, she was able to take preventative steps by having a bilateral mastectomy, and the removal of her ovaries and fallopian tubes.
In her interview with the New York Times, she said:
“There’s more than one way to deal with any health issue. The most important thing is to learn about the options and choose what’s right for you personally. Seek advice and make choices that are right for you. Knowledge is power.”
You need only be tested once in your lifetime to determine your DNA map. The saliva test is able to determine hundreds of genetic mutations known to alter our risk of disease. The test can also be used to find out more about their ancestry, their genetic traits and their blood group.
Data
Discovery have promised the ‘highest standards of data security’ to ensure that DNA tests remain private. It may be possible in the future that clients receive financial incentives if they reduce risks revealed by their genomic testing. This would be an extension of Discovery’s wellbeing strategy to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle. However, current regulations in the South Africa prevent insurers from using genetic testing to set premiums.
To read more about DNA testing:
www.discoveryforme.co.za/good-health/look-into-your-future-with-genetic-testing