If you’re reading this blog post, explaining what a genetic kit is may be redundant, but let’s summarize it for a moment.
A DNA test or genetic test is a study of a person’s genes focused on identifying changes in their DNA sequence or chromosomal structure. The main interest is usually to determine if the person carries pathological genes or has a genetic predisposition to certain diseases.
However, their utility is very broad, including knowing physical and personality traits, kinship between individuals, or discovering their ancestral origins.
Genetic tests are classified in many ways. They can be classified by what they analyze: cytogenetic (analyze chromosomes), biochemical (analyze changes in DNA indirectly through resulting proteins), or molecular (analyze DNA changes directly).
Another classification sometimes used is diagnostic or non-diagnostic. Diagnostic tests include all those that detect pathological genes in individuals, from knowing if they are carriers of genetic diseases to their predisposition to suffer from them. Pharmacogenetic tests would fall into this group.
In contrast, non-diagnostic tests are genetic tests without clinical or medical function. These include forensic tests to identify individuals by their genome, paternity tests, and ancestry tests.
Until a few years ago, this valuable information was practically inaccessible to most people until the appearance of the first direct-to-consumer DNA tests. The advent of such products allowed anyone who wished to access their genetic information in an easy and economically affordable way.
In 2022, there were almost 200,000 different genetic tests registered worldwide, including updated versions of older ones. More than 90% of these tests had a clinical purpose, as opposed to a research purpose. More than 90% of the tests can be used in diagnostic tests.
To get an idea of the growth in this field, in 2012, 1081 new genetic tests were registered worldwide. In 2022, there were 6214 new registrations, almost six times more.
The goal of direct-to-consumer DNA tests is to allow the average individual access to genetic testing without the need to go to specialized centers or require professional help for sample extraction.
From a social perspective, they promote public awareness of the existence of genetically inherited diseases. By bringing this information to the general population, society becomes more aware of the importance of genetics in their current and future health and well-being.
And how does genetic testing work in children? Well, just like in the rest of the population. They are children, not Martians.
How does genetics help my child?
Children are one of the ideal groups for undergoing a DNA test since, having their whole lives ahead of them, the information provided by the tellmeGen DNA kit can be especially useful (as well as curious) throughout their lives. They have more years ahead to make use of the results.
Our tests are updated as we add new items and tools. As children grow, the information from their test also evolves with them over time.
This information is important because if a person has been aware of their genetic predisposition to certain diseases since childhood, they can take action on the environmental factors related to them to prevent their possible occurrence.
It can also allow them to know about diseases they have or are carriers of before they manifest. Some genetic diseases do not manifest until adolescence or even later.
And how does one act against genetic predisposition?
There are many ways to intervene. For example, if our genetic test indicates that we have a genetic predisposition to asthma, we can act on the environmental factors that favor it: adopting a healthy lifestyle, trying to avoid bad weather, or staying away from tobacco. Tobacco, the recurrent risk factor in this blog.
However, it is crucial to bear in mind that having a genetic predisposition to develop a disease does not mean, under any circumstances, that it will necessarily manifest, but rather that we have probabilities above the average.
How do genetic tests for boys and girls work?
How does tellmeGen DNA test work? Assuming your child is human, the operation of tellmeGen genetic tests is straightforward: you just need to register once you receive the kit at your home and take a saliva sample from the inside of their cheeks using cotton swabs.
This sample is analyzed in our laboratories, and within a period of 4 to 6 weeks from its receipt, you can access the results. It’s as simple as that!
If your child is a dog, we have a product designed for them here. The process is very similar, including the fact that both children and dogs try to eat the swabs, cooperate only for the first three seconds, and you have to watch them closely to prevent them from putting anything in their mouths for the half-hour before.
We are interested in the tellmeGen genetic kit for our child. What do we have to do?
xFirst, check if the child is human or a dog to know which one to order. The tellmeGen DNA kit can be purchased through our website by clicking on this link. Once purchased, it will be delivered to your home in 2-4 business days (on average). Simply follow the kit’s instructions to start the process and provide your child with the information.
They can learn everything from being carriers of genetic diseases to how drugs react in their bodies or their predisposition to what most teenagers fear: acne. If your sebaceous glands are going to betray you during puberty, it’s better to be prepared.
