Testing Your Genes, Right at the Drugstore

(CBS)  Editor's note: Since this story aired, Walgreens has postponed its plans to sell an over-the counter genetic test. To read more from our partner WebMD, click here.

At Pathway Genomics in San Diego, technicians are trying to tell the future, creating personal DNA reports for customers, reports CBS News correspondent Ben Tracy.

"We will give you information about your health and really we will help you make better lifestyle choices," said Jim Woodman with Pathway Genomics.

In a controversial move, the company's genetic tests will now be sold in 6,500 Walgreens stores as of Friday.

The company said the test can determine health risks for as many as 72 genetic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, breast cancer and Alzheimer's. The company claims its tests are 99.9 percent accurate, but that's not been independently confirmed.

Here's how it works: a customer deposits their saliva in a plastic vial. The vial is sent back to the company and the customer's genetic code is mapped. The results are then posted on a secure website the customer accesses with a password.

"I'd certainly avail myself to it because I'd like to know what I'm predisposed to," said Garry Scarff of West Hollywood, Calif.

However, the FDA has not approved the test and says by selling it in drugstores the company would "be putting themselves in legal jeopardy."

The kit costs $20 but you can pay up to $249 depending on how much you want to know - from how you might react to medications to your risks of passing diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, on to your children.

Critics say picking up a genetic test should not be as simple as grabbing toothpaste and band-aids. And scientists say the link between our DNA and many diseases is still largely unknown. The fear is that the test results could cause some people to overreact or others may forgo tests such as mammograms if the results don't show an increased risk of breast cancer.

"Knowledge is powerful but misunderstood knowledge can be powerfully bad," said Hank Greeley, the director of Stanford University's Center for Law and the Biosciences

Yet our desire to know what could be ahead of us is apparently also in our genes.

[AtLasOn1Kl733]

Might as well go on ahead and make reservations at your nearest prison for you and your kids for future purposes. You know, just in case your DNA is found at a crime scene you or your family ended up being linked to and unaware of. Of course, the DNA was obtained legally since you voluntarily handed it over. Since your DNA is no longer private and now is owned by the company, they can now sell the info to the Corporatons. Oh and those whom impregnated those women when they were younger and had illegimate child(ren), get ready to fork over back child support. Especially, in California.

[edixope4842]

Gee, first flu shots, now DNA tests. Sounds like WalMart,K-Mart,and Publix cheap medications are forcing the "Pharmacy America Trusts" to find new ways to make a living.

[rf35]

So it costs $20 for the vial to spit in and $250+ to get any information about it?

"There's a sucker born every minute."

If you're really worried, talk to a doctor. If you need the tests, the doc can set them up and probably charge less than this since you'll only be getting the ones you need.

[consciousnes]

When are people going to realize that they are what the eat? Literally.
The processed foods, or should I say substances that we put in our bodies today from the food companies don't have the nutrients that were actually in the original food. Oh yes, "Vitamin Fortified". Yep, processed vitamins in processed foods which go through the body and do nothing but supply calories for your body to burn.
It is like burn wood from a tree that you just cut down, the chimney gets coated with sap and other substances and if you don't keep it cleaned out you have a chimney fire that burns the house down.
The nutrients help keep our bodies clean and allow it to work more efficiently; it is like tuning up your car.

[get_down]

Thanks - but noooooooooo thanks!

[cmcarthu1]

what do you mean "The kit costs $20 but you can pay up to $249 depending on how much you want to know"? According to Pathway's site, the tests starts at $249 and goes up from there. To find out what diseases or medical conditions you're predisposed to, the cost is $399. Another news site said the cost was from $79 to $150. Either Pathway just increased all their prices in the last few hours or the news reporters aren't finding the correct information.