The Editor's Y23andMe genetic-mapping service just paid for itself.
Among other potential health factors it identified from a $100 DNA sample was a predisposition for gout.
Tricky Dick Nixon had a serious bout with the "royal disease," but The Editor's experience is confined to pain in the right big toe.
Until the genetic report pinpointed the cause, the pain was blamed on stubbing or a tight boot--not an overabundance of uric acid.
A computer printout of The Editor's DNA finding will accompany him during his next checkup. The internist probably won't be pleased.
Pressure from the health-care and medical industries since forced government agencies to ban Y23andMe from disclosing potential health problems based on genetic analysis.
Seems such disclosure of that information is considered the "practice of medicine." It also questions the need for expensive tests. (18 JANUARY 2014)
