Saliva DNA kit to help test for genetic illnesses goes on sale in UK

  • Health
Seventy per cent of people who took the test said they found it "extremely valuable". Credit: Reuters

A saliva DNA kit to test for genetic illnesses has gone on sale in the UK.

The kit, costing £125, claims to provide more than 100 pieces of genetic information about a person's health.

Users spit in a tube, seal it and send it off to be analysed, and within four to six weeks will be notified of the results.

While the tool, called 23andMe, is not "diagnostic", it can indicate if someone has genes associated with inherited conditions such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anaemia.

It may also reveal people's genetic dispositions for conditions such as blood clotting, Alzheimer's or Parkinson's.

The firm says users can access information about the genetic basis of traits such as hair colour, hair loss, height and freckles.

They can also explore the genetics behind why they may be a more frequent smoker, how they metabolise caffeine and their body's response to diet and exercise.

The service also includes a "full genetic ancestry report" allowing people to trace their family's genetic roots and "potentially discover and communicate with new relatives".

Chief executive Anne Wojcicki said: "23andMe's mission is to ensure that individuals can personally access, understand and benefit from the human genome.

"The UK is a world leader in genomics and we are very excited to offer a product specifically for UK customers."

Around 10,000 UK-based customers have already paid extra to have the kit delivered from the US.

A survey of 70% of those found their reports were "extremely valuable" and a quarter shared the results with their doctor.

But critics have said the tests are "very open to misunderstanding".

Shirley Hodgson, emeritus professor of cancer genetics at StGeorge's Hospital in London, said: "The results can indicate very slight alterations of risk for certain traits or diseases which can be misinterpretedunless explained in detail by a medical practitioner who understands such information."