Is it a good idea to obtain a genetic test using 23andme? it would be good to know what major diseases, such as breast cancer, i am vulnerable to.

Family want to know?: Your question is a very important one. A person should not undertake such testing without thinking about the impact on family members also. I highly recommend that my patients considering obtaining special testing or their genome speak with a genetic counselor or medical geneticist. We have some prominent physicians on healthtap who have board certification in genetics. I will refer this to them.

Too early to say.: This is a company that seems to have been created for this purpose. Having said that, i don't think they have the experience of interpretation that medical services, like karyotyping in cytogenetics provide. These are done only when warranted by sickness. It is also important to know that genetic discrimination can occur from this, which might lead to problems. More planning may be needed.