Three scientists learned they carry genes that significantly increase their risk for Alzheimer's. Here's how they're grappling with the news, and working to keep their brains healthy. mohd izzuan/Getty Images hide caption
genetic testing
The company Natera offers a blood test to pregnant women that checks for fetal abnormalities. Natera offers what it calls a "prompt-pay cash price" for these tests. Halfpoint Images/MomentRF/Getty Images hide caption
Offered a cash price for a prenatal genetic test? It may be your best bet
From apps to gadgets, 'Second Life' considers how tech is changing having a baby
Jeremy Nottingham (bottom right) sits for a family photo with his parents, Junius and Sharon, and sister Briana. Junius Nottingham Jr. hide caption
Testing your genes for cancer risk is way cheaper now — and it could save your life
Even though the sisters hope a successful drug treatment for their family's form of dementia will emerge, they're now planning for a future without one. "There's a kind of sorrow about Alzheimer's disease that, as strange as it seems, there's a comfort in being in the presence of people who understand it," Ward says. Juan Diego Reyes for NPR hide caption
With early Alzheimer's in the family, these sisters decided to test for the gene
Michelle Kuppersmith's doctor recommended a bone marrow biopsy after suspecting she had a rare blood disorder. Though the biopsy was done by an in-network provider at an in-network hospital, Kuppersmith learned she was on the hook for $2,400 for out-of-network genetic profiling. Shelby Knowles for KHN hide caption
Myriad Genetics is among a handful of companies that make a genetic test to help doctors choose psychiatric medicines for patients. Evidence that the tests are effective has been called "inconclusive." Myriad Genetics hide caption
Jeri Seidman and her daughter Hannah lounge at their home in Charlottesville, Va. Hannah is a patient in a genetic risk study about Type 1 diabetes. Carlos Bernate for NPR hide caption
An Experimental Genetic Test Gives Early Warning For Kids At Risk Of Type 1 Diabetes
In the alleged scheme, Medicare beneficiaries were offered, at no cost to them, genetic testing to estimate their cancer risk. Al Drago/Bloomberg/Getty Images hide caption
U.S. Justice Department Charges 35 People In Fraudulent Genetic Testing Scheme
Researchers are hoping to learn how to effectively convey information about people's risk for developing Alzheimer's disease, a dementia still without a cure. Thanasis Zovoilis/Getty Images hide caption
A Genetic Test That Reveals Alzheimer's Risk Can Be Cathartic Or Distressing
A decade ago, it seemed inevitable that every newborn would get a complete gene scan. But there are technical challenges and practical concerns. Brooke Pennington/Getty Images hide caption
The Promises And Pitfalls Of Gene Sequencing For Newborns
Even if a genetic test could reliably predict obesity risk, would people make effective use of the information? eyecrave/Vetta/Getty Images hide caption
Shara and Robert Watkins hold their 5-month-old daughter, Kaiya, in their home in San Mateo, Calif., just after she had woken up from an afternoon nap. Lindsey Moore/KQED hide caption
The results of genetic testing — whether done for health reasons or ancestry searches — can be used by insurance underwriters in evaluating an application for life insurance, or a disability or long-term-care policy. Science Photo Library RF/Getty Images hide caption
Jose and Elaine Belardo's lives were upended last year when he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Alex Smith/KCUR hide caption
Rita Steyn has a family history of cancer so she ordered a home genetic testing kit to see if she carried certain genetic mutations that increase the risk for the disease. Courtesy of Rita Steyn hide caption
Results Of At-Home Genetic Tests For Health Can Be Hard To Interpret
CRISPR and other gene technology is exciting, but shouldn't be seen as a panacea for treating illness linked to genetic mutations, says science columnist and author Carl Zimmer. It's still early days for the clinical applications of research. Westend61/Getty Images hide caption
A Science Writer Explores The 'Perversions And Potential' Of Genetic Tests
A sample of saliva can unlock details about a person's genetic makeup. Andrew Brookes/Cultura RF/Getty Images hide caption
POLL: Genealogical Curiosity Is A Top Reason For DNA Tests; Privacy A Concern
DNA isolated from a small sample of saliva or blood can yield information, fairly inexpensively, about a person's relative risk of developing dozens of diseases or medical conditions. GIPhotoStock/Cultura RF/Getty Images hide caption
As mother and daughter, Carmen and Gisele Grayson thought their DNA ancestry tests would be very similar. Boy were they surprised. Meredith Rizzo/NPR hide caption
My Grandmother Was Italian. Why Aren't My Genes Italian?
The Boston-based company Orig3n has been offering free genetic testing at pro sports games. Douglas Levy for NPR hide caption
Kerri De Nies plays with her son, Gregory Mac Phee at their home in San Diego. Gregory tested positive for adrenoleukodystrophy, a rare brain disorder that affects 1 in about 18,000 babies. Roughly 30 percent of boys with the genetic mutation go on to develop the most serious form of the disease. Anna Gorman/KHN hide caption
Parents Lobby States To Expand Newborn Screening Test For Rare Brain Disorder
Patients who underwent genetic screenings now fear that documentation of the results in their medical records could lead to problems if a new health law is enacted. Sam Edwards/Caiaimage/Getty Images hide caption