Should I get my DNA tested? We asked five experts

Is it worthwhile to know you’re 25% Irish? from www.shutterstock.com

Alexandra Hansen, The Conversation, David Kirchhoffer, Jane Tiller, Julian Savulescu, Martin Delatycki, Sylvia Metcalfe

Author

Alexandra Hansen
Deputy Editor and Chief of Staff, The Conversation AUNZ

Interviewed

David Kirchhoffer
Director, Queensland Bioethics Centre, Australian Catholic University
Jane Tiller
Ethical, Legal & Social Adviser - Public Health Genomics, Monash University
Julian Savulescu
Visiting Professor in Biomedical Ethics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute; Distinguished Visiting Professor in Law, University of Melbourne; Uehiro Chair in Practical Ethics, University of Oxford
Martin Delatycki
Director of Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute
Sylvia Metcalfe
Professor, Murdoch Children's Research Institute

Partners

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With the advent of online ancestry DNA testing, and advancements in genetic screening for various medical aliments, we’re able to know more than ever about the genes that make us who we are.

But is there a point to knowing we’re 25% Irish? And is there a point to knowing we could one day be struck down with a disease we’re unable to prevent?

We asked five experts if we should consider a DNA test.

Four out of five experts said yes

Here are their detailed responses:

If you have a “yes or no” health question you’d like posed to Five Experts, email your suggestion to: alexandra.hansen@theconversation.edu.au

None of the authors have any interests or affiliations to declare.

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