Assignment 1-6 Predictive Genetic Testing: 23 and Me

• DueNov 14 by 11:59

Gail, a 30-year-old marketing executive, received the gift of a direct-to-consumer genetic testing kit from a client. She is toying with the idea of providing a DNA sample and mailing the package; however, she has some concerns about what she might find out about her future health risks. She was adopted and knows very little about her biological parents, so the information would be novel and interesting. At the same time though, Gail has struggled with meeting her weight and physical activity goals and wonders how she might react to the information.

A case can be made that direct-to-consumer genetic testing may cause individuals to change behaviours based on test results. What evidence exists that this might occur? Answer this question by examining the literature related to behavior change theories and by reflecting upon the knowledge you have about behaviour change among your peers. Explain how your ability to practice healthy lifestyle behaviours would be affected if you had a false sense of security. Explain how your ability to practice healthy lifestyle behaviours would be affected if you had a fatalistic approach.