Evenings with Genetics: at-home genetic testing?

At-home genetic testing can offer insight into everything from ancestry and physical traits to risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and cancer. But how accurate are these results and what should you do with the information you receive? Genetics experts at Baylor College of Medicine will discuss the merits and possible pitfalls of direct-to-consumer genetic testing at the upcoming Evenings with Genetics virtual seminar on Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m. CST.

During the hourlong webinar, Daniel Riconda, associate professor of molecular and human genetics and director of the Genetic Counseling Program at the School of Health Professions at Baylor, will explain how at-home genetic tests should be used and how genetic counselors can interpret the results.

“It has been estimated that upwards of 100 million people have taken a direct-to-consumer genetic test,” Riconda said. “It is important for consumers to learn what such tests can and can’t tell you.”

Evenings with Genetics is a regular speaker series hosted by Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital that offers the most current information on care and research advances for many genetic conditions. The seminars provide an opportunity for families in the genetics community to interact with others experiencing similar situations.

The program is free and open to the public, but registration is required. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants the day before the seminar. For more information, call 713-798-8407 or visit the event registration page.