A genetic test (or DNA test) is, in essence, a reading of your body. Analyzing this genetic material allows us to get an in-depth picture of who we are and how we function: from our predisposition to developing certain diseases to our ancestry, including which medications suit us best or where our physical traits come from.
Any nucleated cell in your body contains your DNA.
Nowadays, a simple saliva sample taken right from your couch at home is enough. Technological advances over the last decade have not only made this process completely non-invasive, but have also reduced costs to a level unthinkable years ago, democratizing access to personalized medicine.
How does a DNA test work? The science behind the sample
Your DNA contains all the instructions needed for your cells to function. However, this vast "instruction manual" features slight variations from person to person. Sometimes, these variations are simple design differences (like your eye color), but other times they are small "typos" or genetic spelling errors that can cause issues in how the body functions.
How do we detect these alterations? This is where technology comes into play.
From genotyping to current technology
Once your saliva sample arrives at the lab, the first thing we do is extract and amplify the DNA so we can work with it. From there, we proceed to "read" it.
Historically, there was a major difference in accessibility between full sequencing (which would be equivalent to our Ultra DNA test and reads a book of millions of pages, letter by letter, from start to finish) and genotyping (equivalent to the Starter DNA test and Advanced DNA test, which looks for specific keywords or "typos" on particular pages).
At tellmeGen, we use state-of-the-art microarray technology. This allows us to perform high-density genotyping. Instead of sequencing the entire genome at an exorbitant cost, our chip intelligently scans hundreds of thousands of key genetic markers (SNPs) in your DNA. Then, through complex mathematical algorithms and population databases, we compare your sequences with reference ones. This tells us exactly which variants or mutations you carry with clinical accuracy.
Your results: What exactly does your DNA tell you?
When you receive your report, the medical information is mainly divided into two large blocks:
- Complex diseases: These are conditions caused by a combination of multiple genes and environmental factors (such as lifestyle). The results here are not a sentence; they speak of probability. We indicate whether your genetic risk of developing cancer, diabetes, or heart issues is higher or lower than average. The advantage? Knowing your risk allows you to act on environmental factors (improve your diet, quit smoking, get preventive checkups) to prevent that probability from becoming a reality.
- Monogenic diseases (Hereditary): These depend on alterations in a single gene. The result here is binary: it tells you if you are a carrier of a mutation. In most cases (recessive diseases), being a carrier does not mean you are sick, but it is vital information if you plan to have children, as you could pass it on.
Why choose tellmeGen? Your health, with no fine print
Because we offer the most comprehensive genetic analysis on the market in terms of value for money. With just a single sample of saliva, our test doesn't just give you a couple of fun facts—it gives you a comprehensive map of your health:
- Health: Predisposition to more than 105 complex diseases and carrier status for more than 100 hereditary conditions.
- Pharmacogenetics: Compatibility with hundreds of medications to know which ones will heal you and which ones might cause side effects.
- Personal traits: From your inclination toward hair loss to your alcohol tolerance or vitamin metabolism.
- Ancestry and DNA Connect: Discover your ethnic origins and connect with biological relatives around the world.
- Wellness: Key information on how your body responds to diet, physical exercise, and metabolism. Discover which type of training benefits you most, your sleep quality, or your tendency to lack certain vitamins.
Taking a genetic test empowers you with prevention. That information can be the key to early detection or to adjusting the exact dosage of a chronic treatment.
