Why I Spat and Why You Should Care

I'm not a reality TV star, but I'm a mom. I spit in a cup so that I could help other mothers and help my family.

The more we know about our family history, the more we know about ourselves. I spat and became a founding member of the 23andMe Pregnancy community because I want to know more about my ancestors, and because I want to help other moms.

23andMe is a company co-founded and co-managed by Anne Wojcicki and Linda Avery. The company offers a personal genomics service, in which it scans the DNA submitted by its customers and provides information on their health risks, ancestry and other traits.

23andMe goes beyond personal genetic testing. The good the company is doing will impact everyone.

My parents are dead. By being a part of the 23andMe community, I can pass along details of our family to my children.

Our family history is full of explorers, pioneers and warriors. Grandmother's people were bodyguards to the King of Scotland. Our family was one of just twenty-three families to go west through the Cumberland Gap with Daniel Boone. My grandmother raised three children during the Great Depression as a widow.

I know my family history but my family health history is a mystery. I can't ask my mom if she had problems in her forties with ovarian cysts because she's passed. In the health and medical world, the knowledge base has grown so much since my parents died. My dad has been gone since 1992 and my mom died in 2000. My siblings and I don't have our parents, so being able to spit into a cup and find some of the answers to our family health history is a blessing and a tremendous opportunity.

I want my children and their children to know that we have strong ancestors of great character. However, more importantly, I want my kids to know there are high blood pressure and breast cancer genes in our family.

Some people prefer to live without the information 23andMe can provide. I believe knowledge is power and can help my family prevent some diseases that took our ancestors too soon.

What do you think? Is the information provided by genetic testing too much information? Do you think it's helpful?

 

 

 

Follow Michelle Lamar on Twitter: www.twitter.com/michellelamar

Comments

[ToThinkIsToCreate]

03:54 PM on 04/06/2009

I agree, I think this is beyond fascinating, and having random auto immune disorders in my family ancestry, I'd love to know more specifics. Great post!

[dredco]

06:11 PM on 04/13/2009

hypertension is multifactorial, a combination of MANY genes and lifestyle. Most causes are unknown, this is called essential hypertension, which is 88% of the population with hypertension.

Additionally, being positive for the breast cancer gene BRCA1 or BRCA2 may increase risks of breast / ovarian cancer but it is NOT A GUARANTEE of getting either cancer.

until the field of genomics has developed further, i would say don't waste your money. Invest the 400$ into a gym membership if you want longevity.

-Med Student

[michellelamar]

01:46 PM on 04/04/2009

Glad to know I'm not the only one who loves family history, genetic information. I am a geek about it, mostly because we've lost so many loved ones!

[ACowboysWife]

09:41 AM on 04/04/2009

I LOVE this idea! Not only am I fascinated with my ancestors, I'm very concerned about what healthy risks run in our family. My grandmother died at 60 which is way too young. Her side of the family is high risk for several different health issues so I'm constantly worried about how that might effect me as I get older, and of course my children.

This all fascinates me and I'll have to look into more! Thanks for sharing.