Vance Kennedy: Saving your DNA could be key to a healthier future

Geneticists have known for a long time that characteristics of parents are seen in their offspring, but often in unusual ways not understood. Health problems may or may not show up in the next generation.

When individual genes began to be identified, it was thought that certain genes could be related to specific health problems. For example, a gene identified as BRCA-1 was found to cause a relatively high incidence of breast or ovarian cancer in women. But, as research continued, it became evident that there is not a simple one-to-one relation of genes to health problems. Much research on the genetics of various health problems is being done, but there is a long way to go.

Meanwhile, when a person dies their genetic information is either buried or burned. That is beginning to change, too. It is now possible to store DNA samples for decades, using blood or saliva. That means genetic information and the cause of death for huge numbers can be analyzed, collated and combined to aid our understanding of genetics. The more samples that exist, the greater our understanding over time.

The key is to have saliva and blood stored by reliable companies or services. It is a small industry now, but the potential benefit to future generations will be tremendous long after those who left the samples have gone. I am convinced this has much value for future genetic research and my descendants. That’s why I’ve had my DNA sample stored.

This story was originally published January 16, 2018 at 12:16 PM with the headline "Vance Kennedy: Saving your DNA could be key to a healthier future."