Abstract
Deoxyribonucleic acid, the genetic material in the cell, provides a window into the reasons for human variability. The testing of this material can provide much information about one's genetic heritage and identity. If designed to examine a specific segment of the DNA, it can provide information about the genetic risk for developing diseases that have a genetic component. Kits that will provide an analysis of the DNA can be purchased. The results of some of these kits can be very informative, but the results of others must be viewed with considerable skepticism according to the FDA, FTC, and CDC. Depending on the purpose of the DNA analysis, the interpretation of the results can be quite challenging. There are many factors that influence whether a particular DNA fragment is expressed. This review discusses the use of the results of genetic testing. It also describes some of the factors that can influence the expression of one's genetic heritage.