DNA Testing
Who should have their DNA tested?
How accurate are the tests?
How is your testing lab different from others?
How does the test work?
Is there any value to DNA testing for couples?
Is this something I should consider for my whole family?
Can I buy this for a third party?
What kind of results can someone who was adopted get from this DNA test?

What Now?
What are your suggestions for the best course of action when I receive my results?
If you find out something important about my genetics and health, will you flag it?
Am I required to notify anyone of risk markers found in my DNA?
Is there an easy way to share results with my doctor and loved ones?
Can I get a printed copy of my results for my medical records and my family genealogical records?
Are there any legal or ethical issues I should be aware of?

Privacy
Who has access to my DNA and test results?
What do you do with my sample after you test the DNA?
Is DNA testing covered under my health insurance?
Will my insurance company see or know about the results?

Misc
What is the return policy?
How long until I get my results?
Why can't I order if I live in New York?

DNA Testing

Who should have their DNA tested?
Everyone! Family history or ethnicity can mean increased risk for certain diseases and conditions. Testing can help clarify the genetic risk so each person can work on taking the necessary precautions for prevention. Anyone interested in their genetic background will discover interesting information from ancestry testing. Because we test both maternal and paternal lineages, you can find out where both sides of your family originated.

How accurate are the tests?
The DNA tests are very accurate. Our in-house laboratory has met high standards required to achieve Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certification for complex genetic testing. Ensuring maximum quality results.

How is your testing lab different from others?
By being CLIA certified we deliver the highest quality and most accurate genetic results available. Once your sample arrives at Pathway, it is placed in our secure DNA Lockbox™ where the privacy and security of your DNA are assured. The entire process from DNA isolation to interpretation of the genetic results all occur at our single location with the utmost security.

How does the test work?
It's very easy. When you purchase our DNA collection kit, we will send you a saliva collection container. You provide the saliva into the container, activate your test process online and then mail your saliva back to us. Our lab will extract your personal DNA and perform a microarray-based genotyping assay that can tell you about your personal traits, disease risk, and ancestry. We will deliver those results to you or your doctor over the internet in your secure account.

Is there any value to DNA testing for couples?
Yes. By understanding each other's genetic profiles, you can have a better idea of what the future holds for you as a couple, and for your future family. You're more likely to encourage each other to make healthier lifestyle choices. You'll have advance notice on interesting traits and conditions your child might receive from you and your partner, and you'll receive the latest scientific information to help you determine if your children are at risk of inheriting any genetic-disease.

Is this something I should consider for my whole family?
Absolutely! Learning about and understanding your DNA can help improve your health and knowing what risk factors to keep an eye on. It will even help you know your family background better. It can set you and your family on the right track to a healthier, more meaningful life. Also, studying ancestry is a great family pastime as well as a great way to learn and understand how genetics works.

Can I buy this for a third party?
Definitely. Our DNA and ancestry test makes a great gift, and we have designed our activation process specifically so that you can give the collection kit to others. They will receive their private results in their online account.

What kind of results can someone who was adopted get from this DNA test?
A DNA test can be a tool of great discovery for adopted individuals. The test will not tell you who your mother and father are, but it will give you valuable information about your genetic make-up, susceptibility to certain diseases and conditions that you would not otherwise know about in the absence of the health histories of your biological relatives. The DNA test will provide insights into specific genetic traits and deep ancestral roots. Many adopted individuals have found this a very enriching and rewarding experience.

What Now?

What are your suggestions for the best course of action when I receive my results?
Understanding what secrets lie in your own genome can be fascinating and fun. But it can also be extremely important for making personal health decisions.

Therefore we recommend speaking with your doctor or a professional genetic counselor for an interpretation of your Genetic Health Profile and to receive appropriate medical advice. You are welcome to schedule a consultation with our genetic counselors for a one-on-one interpretation of your results.

If you find out something important about my genetics and health, will you flag it?
Yes. If our geneticists find you are at risk for any significant diseases they will be flagged and you will see them when you receive the results of your test.

Am I required to notify anyone of risk markers found in my DNA?
You are not required to notify or share this information with anyone. However, we do encourage sharing the test results with your doctor or immediate family if you find that you have a high risk factor for certain diseases or traits. The decision is up to you.

Is there an easy way to share results with my doctor and loved ones?
The best way to share your results is to print them out. For security, we strongly encourage you not to share your password for online access. In the near future we will introduce a secure way to share your results online with physicians and family.

Can I get a printed copy of my results for my medical records and my family genealogical records?
We do not create a printed version, but you can print out the content on the web pages.

Are there any legal or ethical issues I should be aware of?
In 2008, Congress passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). This Act assures that you can discover what your genes have to say about you without putting your job or health insurance at risk. Specifically, the Act prohibits insurers from denying coverage or charging higher premiums to a healthy individual based solely on a genetic predisposition to developing a disease in the future, and it prohibits employers from using genetic information when making hiring, firing, job placement, or promotion decisions.

Privacy

Who has access to my DNA and test results?
Only our privacy-trained laboratory staff will have access to your DNA in order to run the tests. All samples in the laboratory are labeled with a special code. If you wish, our staff of Genetic Counselors may have access to your genetic results in order to offer you guidance and counseling. We will not share your DNA or test results with your employer, insurance company or any other unauthorized party.

What do you do with my sample after you test the DNA?
We hold onto your DNA in our secure DNA Lockbox™. After your DNA analysis is completed, your DNA is then destroyed in a secure manner to protect your privacy.

Is DNA testing covered under my health insurance?
This depends on your insurance company. Some insurance companies will reimburse testing.

Will my health insurance company see or know about the results?
No. Pathway Genomics will not share your results with your health insurance company unless you authorize it.

Miscellaneous

What is the return policy?

Pathway Genomics guarantees your satisfaction. If you are unhappy with your results, contact us for a free retest or a full refund.

The Pathway Guarantee

How long until I get my results?
Once we receive your DNA in our laboratory, our on-site geneticists begin the decoding process immediately. It typically takes about eight weeks for the lab to extract the DNA from your saliva (this may take longer during our initial product launch), prepare and scan your DNA and process the information. But you won't have to wait that long before you hear from us. We begin sending helpful health information and updates right away, and continue all along the way. As soon as we have your results in hand, we will notify you that your report is ready.

Why can't I order if I live in New York?
Our laboratory is fully licensed by federal and California authorities, but we have not yet obtained the additional licensing required by the state of New York to perform testing for residents of the state of New York.