Navigenics #2 - “A stroll through your genomic park – the service”
This second article originating from G&H’s exclusive interview with Navigenics’ Medical Director Dr Michael Nierenberg takes a look at the service you will receive if you subscribe to Navigenics’ genomic wellness service.
The Navigenics service
When you sign up to the Navigenics service you effectively enrol as a member and not as a patient or customer. For US$2,500 you subscribe to an annual package which includes a genomic scan to identify your lifetime risk (compared to an average American male or female) of developing 18 core, treatable diseases such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s and type II diabetes. Included in the package is on-line and telephone support from experienced genetic counselors who will hand-hold you throughout the process and be available to discuss your results in ‘easy to understand’ language.
Over time, Navigenics will be adding additional information and tests to its core service portfolio. As a subscriber to the service, you will have access and be advised of any updates and how they relate specifically to your health risk profile. Ongoing annual subscription for the Navigenics service will be at a nominal annual subscription, currently US$250 pa.
After subscribing you will receive a saliva collection kit. Once you have provided a saliva sample you will be asked to send the kit back to Navigenics’ CLIA certified lab in
About a month later, you will be informed of your test results via your own personal account within a secure area of Navigenics’s website. The results also come with an explanation of what they mean and the impact they may have on your overall health risk profile.
In addition there will be guidance and recommendations on how to mitigate against any identified health risk through your personalized health action plan.
For example, if you are a female, your profile may contain the following results:
Alzheimer’s Yourself 8% Average population 17%
This is interpreted as you are at lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s during your life compared to the average female but at higher risk of developing breast cancer during your life than an average female. Regular screening for breast abnormalities may well be a sound investment for your ongoing wellness.
Dr Nierenberg comments“Navigenics wishes to foster an ongoing partnership and relationship between members and the medical communities. This is achieved through an educational program and repeated contact. The genetic screen only provides part of the health picture so our members need to be counseled on the fact that as there is also a large environmental component involved in disease development, so they may never get it.”
Genetic counseling and having adequate access to this service is of paramount importance to Navigenics. Elissa Levin, heads up the company’s genetic counseling services.
Dr Nierenberg describes the counseling team. “The counseling team provides members with clinically based knowledge to promote a greater understanding of their health risks, to decrease anxiety at every step of the way and to encourage them to take positive steps to live as long and healthy a life as possible.”
To learn more about the company and its thoughts on key issues surrounding the genomics industry, look out for the following articles which will be posted throughout this week.
Navigenics #1 - My genes, my health, my life – who are Navigenics?
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POSTED IN: General Genetics and Health, Genetic Testing, Genetics Interviews, Personal Genomics Services, Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, SNPs
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