3/9/2017 12:00:00 AM | less than a minute read

Precision Credulity: How Specious Genetic Tests Might Motivate Real Behavior Change

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Erik Lundh

Managing Partner

Get in touch

Erik Lundh

Managing Partner

Is it wrong to use genetic testing to motivate behavior change?

For example, if my genetic code suggests that I am at risk for developing diabetes and, as a result, I modify my diet and exercise regimen - that's a good thing, right? However, one could argue that proper diet and exercise is a good thing, irrespective of what my genome says.

There is an emerging trend of using "genetically informed" diets or exercise programs for patients, elite athletes, etc. Could the results, however positive, simply be a placebo effect?

Although a robust scientific link between the genetic results and the indicated intervention is generally lacking, many individuals–whether patients or elite athletes–seem to find the idea that their recommendations are based on cutting-edge genetic science compelling. In a very real sense, this is genetics as placebo.

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