Home Care Blog

-Dr. Kathy Johnson, PhD, CMC

Almost daily some research lab announces the discovery of a link between a certain gene and a dreaded disease, but, the information has been of little use to the general public that mostly has not information on their genetic traits. Starting this month, however, senior citizens who want more insight to make health decisions can buy a kit from Pathway Genomics at Walgreens and mail it to the company for analysis.

Senior citizens, the most health conscious age group due to the multitude of diseases that strike older people, may be among the first in line for these kits.

Pathway Genomics (www.Pathway.com), a San Diego-based genetic testing company, says starting in mid-May the Pathway Genomics Insight Saliva Collection Kit will be sold at many of Walgreens’ nearly 7,500 stores nationwide. The Insight Saliva Collection Kit will retail in the $20 to $30 price range. Kits will not be available in New York, due to a New York state law, the company says.

Consumers send their saliva off to a lab and can opt to have their DNA analyzed for their risk of diseases and conditions including breast cancer, heart attack and multiple sclerosis, according to an early report in the Washington Post.

Another option is finding out if they carry genes for certain conditions that they might pass on to a child. And they can find out how their body may respond to certain drugs, including statins and caffeine, the paper says.

The Insight Saliva Collection Kit contains a small saliva collection kit, simple instructions, and a postage-paid envelope that customers can use to send their saliva sample back to the Pathway Genomics laboratory. From there, they simply visit Pathway’s web site to create their own secure, password-protected account and order an individualized Genetic Insight Report for  -

• Drug Response ($79),
• Pre-Pregnancy Planning ($179),
• Health Conditions ($179) or
• A combination of all three ($249).

Pathway’s Genetics Insight Reports offer consumers a convenient and affordable way to learn about their personal genetics, the company says.

The FDA is looking into whether this and similar tests require the agency’s approval, according to the Washington Post. The company says that Insight doesn’t require an okay from the FDA.

“We’re revolutionizing the way people access information about their genetics, and through thousands of convenient Walgreens locations, we’re making it easier and more affordable than ever before to order a personalized genetic report,” said Jim Plante, CEO of Pathway Genomics.

“The value of knowing how genes play a role in our personal lives, and potentially the lives of our children, is critical for making well-informed health and wellness decisions.”

Pathway Genomics believes that personalized genetic reports are quickly becoming a critical component for providing useful insight into a person’s DNA make up and genetic data. For instance, a Pathway Genomics Genetic Insight™ Report can provide a wide range of information to help an individual learn about their health and make healthier lifestyle choices.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 at 11:22 am and is filed under Home Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.