Sarah Morgason

Honors Experience Reflection 2019

Health & Heritage

What?

The purpose of this Honors Experience was to learn more about DNA testing kits, which

have recently been rising in popularity as more people want to discover the information stored in

their genes. These testing kits can uncover existing predispositions to certain genetic conditions

along with helping people track their ancestry. There are a variety of different kits out there, and

those looking to use these kits should make informed decisions on which kit to buy since they

are fairly expensive.

I personally took an interest in these kits as I am adopted and I have no knowledge of

my genetic health. In the past this has worried me, as I am not aware of what kinds of genetic

conditions I may need to be concerned about and plan ahead for. The first part of my project

was centered around 23&Me because this kit was most widely recognized for the amount of

data it has stored for various genetic conditions (if I were more interested in my family tree, I

most likely would have selected a different kit). Initially, I started out looking through every

genetic condition that 23&Me tested for to help me better understand what kinds of services the

kit offered along with any additional websites that could be added on to test for further

information.

The second part of my project was focused on my own personal adoption story and

learning more about where I came from based on the information that my parents had saved. By

doing this I would be able to learn more about my heritage along with the experience of

adoption in general. In addition, I looked at the testimonies of other girls adopted from China to

better understand other viewpoints on topics such as revisiting the place one was adopted from

and finding one’s birth parents. In the past I have not had a strong desire to find my own birth
family, but I wanted to learn more about why others do and also what kinds of difficulties one

might face in trying to learn more about their heritage.

So What?

For my health portion, I did compile a list of every single condition and carrier status

condition that is available for 23&Me. I also learned that with one’s DNA on file, a user can opt

into further research where their genes can be repeatedly examined for other genetic conditions

as the research team discovers them. I also learned that there are add on sites like Prometheus

that allows users to send their gene data outside to be examined for hundreds of other genetic

variations that 23&Me does not offer for a relatively low fee. Doing this research helped me to

learn more about diseases that I had heard of but did not know much about and also to learn

more about what kinds of lifestyle changes could be made in order to avoid the more common

genetic conditions. Results aside, I also found that the best indicator of most conditions was

family history (ex. if one’s family had a history with a genetic condition like alzheimers, then the

user would be more likely to be predisposed to it), which is still not an option for some people

who are adopted or not aware of their family history.

I also learned a lot more about my family’s adoption story and the popularity of

international adoption from China due to the One-Child Policy of 1979 from my research into my

own personal history. I found that my parents had kept a record of the whole experience along

with a number of documents that I was able to look through. It was particularly enlightening to

see the amount of paperwork they had to go through to get the adoption approved and also the

level of organization it took just to get to China. It made me appreciate more all the experiences

they had on their journey to get me.

Now What?
 Knowing what I know now about the genetic conditions that are tested for in these DNA

testing kits, I feel more informed going forward using these results. I also feel more capable of

advising friends or family members who are also considering using these kits to test for their

health status. I could give them more informations surrounding the conditions so that they are

able to make the most financially responsible decisions, and I also better understand why the

DNA testing kits have certain disclaimers as to why they do not accept responsibility for any

reactions to undesired results.

Also, I better understand my parents now and I believe that this research will lead me to

having more discussions with my parents in the future regarding the process of the adoption. I

also better understand why people would want to find out more about their birth families and the

importance of trying to find one’s birth family early.

In conclusion, I believe that these DNA testing kits are great tools for people who truly

want to know more about their health and their ancestry. Certainly it is a double edged sword

that can lead to people learning things they may not have known or wanted to know about their

past, but for many it has led to more awareness and openness in their family. I do not believe

the popularity of these kits will wane soon, and I hope this research will help those around me

make more informed decisions.