Top eight Extension Homemaker Leader lesson chosen in Ft. Harrod Area. With assistance from State Specialist, built power point and lesson handout on this topic for the Zoom lesson.

Direct-to-consumer genetic tests (also called DNA genetic testing, direct-access genetic testing, at-home genetic testing, home DNA testing and ancestry or genealogy testing) are popular as they provide insight into health and unlock secrets about family. but it is important to keep the risk and reward in mind.  This lesson highlighted some issues related to risk, privacy and unexpected surprises that can be associated with such tests. AN MIT Technology Review reported that an estimated 26+million people have taken home ancestry tests (USA Today, 2019). When you submit your sample, you are giving away your full genetic code, "It's the most valuable thing you own" according to Peter Pitts of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest (NBC Health News, 2018). 

As a result of the lesson and evaluation afterwards: 50% of the respondents reported they can more accurately define direct-to-consumer genetic testing, can identify the benefits and risks of direct-to-consumer genetic testing, are aware of the ways in which direct-to-consumer genetic testing can threaten privacy, health and financial well-being and know to identify and understand important privacy information listed in a direct-to-consumer genetic testing company's terms and agreement policies.

25% of the respondents replied they had changed their minds about purchasing a Home DNA test kit.