Wed. Mar 20, 2019
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New study sheds light on how lab tests affect patient's perceptions and their actions.
Given the current popularity and ubiquity of tests like those provided by companies like 23andMe I thought it worthwhile to share the results of this scientific study.
Learning one’s genetic risk changes physiology, independent of actual genetic risk, according to a new study in Nature Human Behaviour.
People who obtain genetic test results behave differently and experience different outcomes.
In the same way that more expensive, high-tech interventions (like surgery) often provide greater placebo effects in the context of treating pain, it appears that high-tech tools (like genetic testing) can similarly provide large placebo and nocebo effects as well.
And given that clinical testing is an imperfect science with risk for false positives and false negatives, individuals should be very careful in pushing for, or ordering for themselves, tests which may not be clinically necessary in order to guide treatment decisions.
How People Actually Behave When They Know Their Genetic Risks
Neuroscientist Erman Misirlisoy explores “how people behave once they gain knowledge about their genetic predispositions.”
The author cites the same study referenced in this article.
He notes: “Positive expectations can shift us into a productive mindset, and negative expectations can make us pessimistic about our health, fitness, and self-control.”