The value of whole genome sequencing is not as easy or clear-cut as this writer makes it out to be.
1) Everyone has at least one deleterious mutation. This is not an issue if the other parent of your children does not carry any of the same genetic mutations that you have.
2) We are products of genes and environment. You may have genes that predispose you to heart disease, for example, but if you follow a healthy diet and get adequate exercise, you might avoid the heart disease.
3) There are tens of thousands of genes that interact with each other, and we are still in the process of characterizing each gene function. We are a long way from understanding the complex interactions among all of the different genes. So don’t expect a whole genome sequence to tell you everything about your health. It won’t.
4) Having the whole genome sequenced also does not inform about the expression of genes, which are controlled by epigenetic factors, which are DNA modifications that do not change the DNA sequence.
5) Since cancer often arises from somatic (non-germ cell) mutations which often occur as we age, having a whole genome sequence will tell you nothing of your cancer risk. The exception is if you carry a gene variant known to increase cancer risk, such as the BRCA mutations associated with breast cancer. You can have those genes screened for specifically.
6) Disclaimer: I have been using the word “gene” above in a sense that encompasses more than its strict definition. I have used it to include the proteins and RNAs and their functions coded by functional genes, as well as control elements contained in the DNA which are not necessarily components of genes.
7) This is not a complete list of reasons genomic sequencing is not a magic tool to assess or predict health conditions. The bottom line is that it is another tool in the repertoire, not a universal do-it-all gadget.
Thanks, exDemMom.