DNA testing for hereditary disease screening

Sorry if I missed a thread about this already—I didn’t see a specific topic for it, so apologies in advance!
So, I'm just heading home from this big wedding expo and I stumbled upon a company called Cellaviv that does DNA analysis. Honestly, they're totally new to me... basically, they offer testing for both babies and adults. You just give them a saliva sample, and then they send you this massive, thick little book detailing your entire genetic blueprint—stuff like potential hereditary risks, your general health outlook, customized nutrition plans, all that good stuff....
It sounds pretty incredible to me, though I was wondering if anyone here has ever messed around with this kind of thing in the States? From chatting with the ladies at the booth, it sounded like the pricing isn't too crazy, especially since you'd presumably just do it once and be done with it for life... What do you guys think? Is it actually worth the hype?

Chloe Reyes57 said:Sorry if this isn't its own thread, I didn't see one mentioned...
So, asking here because I just walked out of a wedding expo and spotted a company called Cellaviv doing DNA analysis. First time I've heard of them. They do testing for both babies and adults—basically, you give them a saliva sample and they hand you a massive book detailing your genetic blueprint, potential hereditary diseases, general health status, custom diet plans, all that jazz....
Seems pretty cool. Has anyone else dealt with something like this here in the States? From what their reps were saying, the prices aren't crazy, especially if you just do it once and call it a day. What do you guys think? Is it worth the cash?

Honestly? It’s a complete scam... just a quick way to grab people's money. Whatever you carry in your genes regarding disease risk isn't going to change just because you tweak your diet or lifestyle. If you're genetically destined to get hit with a major illness, you'll get it regardless. My husband and I went through that whole famous DNA testing thing years ago because we were struggling to conceive. Turns out we were both carriers for Type 1 diabetes, and since we're both homozygotes, there was a massive chance—basically a guarantee—that our kid would have it. Well, the kid is perfectly healthy. Now, both my child and I carry a highly specific gene for celiac disease; I've got it, she doesn't... yet. If you're already a hypochondriac, this stuff will just drive you insane with info about illnesses that might never even happen. And if you actually need real genetic testing later, you can just get it through your insurance for free, like we did. If you have money to burn and want to worry about nonsense, go for it... otherwise, it's a waste of time.

ruggeddrifter14 said:I think this whole thing is a massive joke... and just a cash grab at this point...your genes and how a disease might develop aren't gonna change just because you eat better or switch up your lifestyle...if you're destined to get some serious illness, you'll get it regardless.My husband and I had a hard time conceiving, so we did that whole DNA testing thing—and it turned out we're both carriers for Type 1 diabetes. Since we're both homozygotes, there was a huge chance—basically a guarantee—that our kid would have it. Well, the kid is perfectly healthy so far... meanwhile, my kid and I carry a highly specific gene for celiac disease; I've got it, she doesn't... yet. Plus, if you're a hypochondriac, all this info will just drive you insane over stuff that might never even happen. And God forbid you actually *need* a DNA test—you can just get it through insurance for free, like we did. If you've got money to burn and want to stress over nonsense, go for it... otherwise, it's a total waste of time.

Even if that's true, wouldn't it be better to know? At least, that's my take.😁 I'd want to know.
Besides, say you find out you carry a gene for a specific cancer—then you can keep a targeted eye on that organ..🤷
My boyfriend did his testing ages ago, overseas. I'm thinking about doing it too. Either way, I don't see how it could be bad. Unless you're a major hypochondriac or someone who'd rather stay in the dark. In that case, yeah, maybe skip it.🤣

Grace Chase97 said:Even if it’s true, isn't it better to just know? That's my take, anyway.😁 I'd want to know.
Besides, let's say you carry the gene for some specific cancer—then you can actually keep an eye on that organ specifically..🤷
My boyfriend got his done ages ago, out of state too. I'm thinking about doing it myself. Either way, I don't see how it could be bad. Unless you're a total hypochondriac who'd rather live in blissful ignorance. In that case, maybe skip it.🤣

I never said it was bad, but there are people who would spend their entire lives stressing over this. Sure, you'll have more control, but then what? If the disease shows up anyway, what's the point? You still can't do anything besides seek treatment.

Grace Chase97 said:Even if that's the case, you might as well know. At least, that's my take on it.😁 I'd want to know.
Besides, let's say you carry the gene for X or Y, then you can specifically target and manage that organ..🤷
My boyfriend did that ages ago, somewhere abroad. I'm thinking about doing it myself. Either way, I don't see how it could be bad. Except maybe for extreme hypochondriacs or people who'd rather live in ignorance. In that case, just don't do it.🤣

And what would you actually do with that info?

If this is what I think it is, we're talking HLA typing. That's what they run when they suspect certain diseases to find glitches in the genome—every glitch has its own marker showing a predisposition to specific illnesses.

I honestly don't get why any healthy person would want to know this. 🤷 Why spend your entire life stressing over what you *might* get (which isn't a guarantee anyway, since these are just predispositions) only to end up actually getting sick from the stress? What does it matter if you find out you have a predisposition for MS, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.? You can't prevent them through diet or anything else because nobody knows exactly why these things trigger; genetic predisposition is just one tiny piece of the puzzle.

And besides, who’s guaranteeing you won't develop rheumatoid arthritis even if you don't have the predisposition for it?

My advice? Don't throw your money away on tests like these (God forbid you ever actually need them) and just save your sanity and enjoy your life. A healthy lifestyle—decent food, regular exercise, low stress, all that—is recommended regardless of whether you're healthy, sick, or loaded with predispositions.