#266 - AMA #50: Genetics: how they impact disease risk, what you can do about it, testing, and more

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter's Weekly Newsletter In this "Ask Me Anything" (AMA) episode, Peter delves into the realm of genetics, unraveling its connection to disease and emphasizing the value of understanding one's genetic risks. He elucidates essential background knowledge on genetics before delving into the myriad reasons why individuals might consider genetic testing. Peter differentiates scenarios where genetic testing provides genuine insights from those where it may not be as useful. From there, Peter explores a comprehensive comparison of commercial direct-to-consumer genetic tests, providing insights on interpreting results and identifying the standout options for gaining insights into personal health. If you're not a subscriber and are listening on a podcast player, you'll only be able to hear a preview of the AMA. If you're a subscriber, you can now listen to this full episode on your private RSS feed or our website at the AMA #50 show notes page. If you are not a subscriber, you can learn more about the subscriber benefits here. We discuss: Defining the term "genetics" and why it's important [2:15]; What is DNA, and how does it impact our biology and traits? [5:45]; How are genetics passed down from parent to child? [8:45]; How much do genes vary across individuals? [13:00]; Which traits are determined by genetics versus experience or environmental factors? [17:00]; Reasons for genetic testing [22:30]; What exactly is being measured by a genetic test? [29:15]; Testing for monogenic disorders [35:15]; Understanding polygenic risk [39:30]; Is genetic testing more important for someone who doesn't know their family history? [40:45]; What does it mean to be positive for a particular variant? [43:00]; What does it mean to be negative for a particular variant? [45:45]; How does someone get genetic testing through their healthcare provider, and how are these tests performed?