23andMe Can Now Tell You How You May Respond to Some Drugs. But Experts Are Wary

Consumer genetics company 23andMe on Wednesday became the first to secure Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for a report that provides information about how a person’s genetics may impact the efficacy of certain drugs. The approval, which comes with certain caveats and safety controls, expands the company’s ability to offer medical insights to customers — but some experts say that information should be approached with caution. This is the latest consumer advance in pharmacogenetics, or the study of how a person’s genes may alter the effects of certain drugs, including blood thinners and antidepressants. Using the saliva sample provided by users, 23andMe will look for 33 genetic variants that could influence the rate at which a person metabolizes some medications, which may affect their efficacy and side effects. “Historically, there hasn’t necessarily been a convenient way to access that information,” says Kathy Hibbs, chief legal and regulatory officer at 23andMe. “We want to make this proactively available to individuals so it will ultimately become convenient when, and if, they ever do need any of these medications.” The report will be part of 23andMe’s existing $199 Health and Ancestry service, a company representative told TIME, but it’s not clear when it will be available. The latest FDA approval brings 23andMe’s genetic testing capacities closer to the level available before a 2013 warn...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Genetics healthytime Source Type: news