Is the consumer ready for Genetic Testing for pre dispositions to diseases?

Andy Molnar

President at Belimed

November 2016

< 1 min reading time

I had recently come across a company that does genetic risk testing for Interleukin, a biomarker that shows a predisposition to inflammatory responses.
Periodontal inflammation (Periodontitis or gum disease) and chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease are thought to have a strong connection. (Ref: American Academy of Periodontology www.Perio.org).
So diagnosis via an oral swab test at the dentist could help to alert the patient and their doctor to preventative possibilities early enough to slow or stop serious systemic disease progression.
Do you think that we (consumers of healthcare ) are ready for genetic testing and all that comes with it? Am I alone in wondering why the dentist and the Medical Doctor do not work more in an interdisciplinary manner to improve preventative care?

source: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/78665/78665-6201822674776317954

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Posted by Andy Molnar

Asked on November 8, 2016 12:00 am

66 views

like 15 comments

	Private answer I'd rather be knowledgeable than not. That gives me the opportunity to act accordingly in promotion of my own health. So, yes! Marked as spam like Report spam
	Private answer Urs Mattes Yes, it might have an influence on the way we live and what we eat. Marked as spam like Report spam
	Private answer Depends. If there is a cure or prevention than yes. If there is only the diagnosis and "now you have to live with it" ... than no. And what does predisposition mean? I might have it? With which percentage? I will never have it? Marked as spam like Report spam
	Private answer Andrea Sommavilla Me too say yes, but we'll became as Angelina Jolie? Marked as spam like Report spam
	Private answer Andy Molnar Important point Dirk. Maintaining oral health is a strong preventative treatment to prevent periodontal disease, by reducing the biofilm that causes in part the inflammation. There is clinical evidence to suggest that understanding the genetic predisposition can help create meaningful individualized oral care activity such as frequency of hygienist visits and the use of oral antibiotics, like Arestin may help. The challenge is who will pay for the test? The insurance companies should because it can lead to a reduced cost of chronic healthcare, but apart of consumer lifestyle changes other preventative measures are in the dentist office. So their is a disconnect between dental and medical insurance. Any thoughts of the group on this? Marked as spam like Report spam
	Private answer That will break pharmacy industry!, is not good for them!....., but apart from that , it would be perfect to have an holistic approach treating our patients .the problem actually is crisis !!!, this kind of practices are only for wealthy people, because of the cost of this genetic diagnosis Marked as spam like Report spam
	Private answer Consumer is ready. FDA and physicians are not. Look at what 23&Me went through. The science is solid. Marked as spam like Report spam
	Private answer Mark Plait One more way to get your DNA on a government profile. This consumer will never be ready nor will I submit, to such an invasion of privacy as long as I have a say about it. Could also be used to deny insurance coverage as obamacare is going to be repealed.....:) Marked as spam like Report spam
	Private answer And what does access to this level of information do for your insurability? If you have a gene for much higher likelihood of a disease , so you have to share that with your insurance company? In canada I think you do, and it's their choice to exclude for "preexisting conditions. Marked as spam like Report spam
	Private answer It is being said prevention is better than cure . This can change the scenario provided there is data about the same and also awareness at the local , national level is required aggressively . Marked as spam like Report spam
	Private answer Andy Molnar Interesting dialogue. I like the points regarding Identifying preexisting pre disposition and the potential for not getting insurance couverture as a consequence. There would have to be protective measures in place for the patient to prevent insurance companies from denying insurance. Marked as spam like Report spam
	Private answer Dentists and medical doctors do not work more in an interdisciplinary manner to improve preventative care because they are not taught to do so in dental and medical school. We practice what we learn. If medical and dental practitioners are to collaborate, this practice needs to start on educational campuses where medical and dental schools are a part of the same university and therefore acknowledge some kinship with one another. Marked as spam like Report spam
	Private answer Andy Molnar I agree totally Marked as spam like Report spam
	Private answer Fred Zinos The insurance industry will love it. In the USA there is no such thing as health care for humans , there is only health care for the bottom line of the insurance industry. Now that there are ways of predicting who is likely to have what disease, the industry has a bullet proof pretext to raise rates. Marked as spam like Report spam
	Private answer Cuitlahuac Velazquez It seemed that The United States was well in the right path, but sadly, new appointed members of Government might impede the strives done. Marked as spam like Report spam

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