Stumble It!
Do-It-Yourself DNA Decoding in a Kit
This is sooo the do-it-yourself era, no? Everything from sports cars to portable gree
n houses now come in easy step-by-step DIY kits. So why not a kit for decoding your DNA?
Well, it’s here. Cellf do-it-yourself genetic test kits are the first over-the-counter products for investigating your own health conditions. They use DNA analysis to recommend diet and lifestyle changes.
The products are “comprehensive all-in-one kits” that test for specific conditions, including bone health, heart health, detoxification, inflammation, and insulin resistance — containing swabs for taking DNA samples from your cheeks, a questionnaire about eating and exercise habits and a prepaid mailing tube.
You submit your results in the mail, and in about three weeks, you receive a confidential 30-day report that details your personal “genetic variations” and offers specific remedies for your deficiencies, from nutritional supplements to workout regimens.
The Cellf genetic test kits are available at Drugstore.com or from MSN shopping for about $90.
Anyone tried these yet? I’d love to hear if you found them helpful.
And you’re right, Scott, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) is currently investigating these kits, clearly stating that they may be bunk. But they may also be useful simply in promoting better lifestyle choices, the vendors claim.
Explore posts in the same categories: D-News Examined, Diabetes Product Parade
I am not mistaken, these tests have been criticized by many doctors and the sellers are being investigated by several state attoney generals. I would say don’t waste your money.
Posted by: Scott | August 1st, 2006 at 12:43 pmThese are snake oil. They sent in blood from a 9-month year old girl, and filled out the health survey in 4 different forms. The results came back different for each of the results, clearly indicating that the health profile survey determined the results.
They do not indicate which genes they are testing, either.
It’s pure snake oil. Save your money, please don’t fall for it!
Posted by: JasonJayhawk | August 1st, 2006 at 6:06 pmOh yeah, forgot to mention… They are also selling over-the-counter vitamins for $1,200 per year based on the “nutritional findings” of the results. They are just plain OTC vitamins, but their marketing claims otherwise.
They aren’t doing any DNA testing on that swab. It’s all psychological.
Hormone tests from an endocrinologist are the only indication of inflammation (e.g., C-reactive protein or CRP), insulin resistance, etc.
These tests have no way to prove them “wrong” until a whistle blower tells us what actually happen to the swabs, considering how the same blood sample sent in to them for multiple (4+) tests came back with different results.
Posted by: JasonJayhawk | August 1st, 2006 at 6:12 pmYeah, I’ve now read about how much hooey they are. But the idea sure is intriguing!
Posted by: AmyT | August 1st, 2006 at 7:05 pm