Yahoo Japan to Begin Selling a Genetic Test Kit

Yahoo Japan will be marketing a genetic testing kit to its users, thus giving a real taste to users of what preventive medicine is all about.

Priced at about 30,000 yen ($370), those who choose to buy it will need to mail their saliva samples to a testing lab. The lab will conduct various tests and provide a report on genetic susceptibility to several diseases like diabetes.

Use of Genetic Testing Kits Need Deliberation
Genetic testing kits may not get ready approval from federal regulators as an FDA advisory panel has warned of the danger of misinterpretation of results.

The test kit, which is the brain child of Tokyo-based Genesis Healthcare Co., is capable of analyzing 68 genes and enabling a report of genetic predisposition to certain ailments.

Based on the results of the tests, the firm will also advise customers on the ways to cut their risk of developing genetically susceptible diseases.

Retailing Genetic Testing Kit: FDA Steps In, Supermarket Steps Back
Leading US supermarket chain Walgreen is putting on hold its plans to stock its shelves with genetic testing kits as the FDA wades in.

Source-Medindia

Experts Term Home Genetic Testing Kits as 'Waste of Money'
Experts have warned that the genetic tests, which claim to predict the risk of developing life-threatening diseases, are a waste of money.