DNA test kits that let people trace their ancestry have become wildly popular. Companies such as Ancestry.com, MyHeritage and 23andMe racked up record sales during the latest Christmas shopping season. TV and Internet ads promoting gene kits are ubiquitous.
More than 12 million people have had their DNA sequenced using these kits, 10 million since 2016. Some kits offer the possibility of revealing genetic markers for diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Celiac.
While some direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic health data may be useful, there’s a danger that it will lead customers to self-diagnose and make treatment decisions without first consulting their physician.