“Genetic passports” are now available to Ukrainians: what they can tell about health risks

DNA tests today allow us to assess not only the risk of having a child with a genetic disease or a predisposition to oncology. Ukrainians are also offered the so-called “genetic passports” of the Wellness class, which can show the peculiarities of the body’s functioning and potential health weaknesses.

Geneticist Dmytro Mykytenko spoke about the possibilities of modern genetics.

What is a “genetic passport”

According to the specialist, genetic research has made a significant step forward in the last 10–15 years. If earlier medicine could mainly only detect individual genetic diseases, today the possibilities are much wider.

In particular, genetic research is used at the stage of pregnancy planning to assess the risk of having a child with a hereditary disease.

In in vitro fertilization, modern technologies allow us to examine embryos for certain genetic disorders before transfer. There are also methods for early detection of a number of genetic diseases after birth.

Gene therapy has become a separate direction. Technologies aimed at restoring or compensating for the work of a defective gene are already used for some diseases.

What risks can a DNA test show

In addition to specialized medical studies, there are so-called Wellness class genetic passports.

Their task is not to establish a specific diagnosis, but to analyze a person’s genetic characteristics and certain polygenic predispositions.

According to Mykytenko, a single genetic change does not always mean the development of a disease. However, the combination of characteristics of several genes at once can affect certain processes in the body and potential health risks.

Such studies, in particular, can be used to assess the predisposition to:

cardiovascular diseases;

atherosclerosis;

certain mental disorders;

other conditions that are simultaneously influenced by genetic and external factors.

At the same time, a genetic predisposition does not mean that a person will definitely get sick.

Is it possible to “bypass” one’s own genetics

It is impossible to change the inherited genetic code through lifestyle. However, external factors can influence the realization of many genetic risks.

This concerns nutrition, physical activity, habits and other components of lifestyle.

Therefore, information about potential weaknesses of the body can be used primarily for prevention and correction of risk factors.

It is this approach that is often associated with the concept of “biohacking” today.

Genetic testing can increase anxiety

At the same time, the specialist warns against perceiving the results of Wellness tests as a ready-made medical diagnosis.

Such studies are preventive and primarily show a statistical tendency. Incorrect interpretation of the results can cause a person to feel unfounded anxiety.

According to the geneticist, testing for hereditary cancer risks should be treated with particular caution.

A person must be psychologically prepared to receive information about a potentially increased likelihood of developing a certain disease and understand that the identified genetic predisposition in itself is not yet a diagnosis.

That is why the results of medically significant genetic tests should be interpreted together with a specialist who can explain the real level of risk and determine whether additional examinations or preventive measures are needed.