Calgarian takes charge of own health with genetic testing
Posted Mar 9, 2023 7:13 pm.
A Calgary man is disappointed in the healthcare system and wants to take charge of his own health by getting genetic testing done.
“I don’t think the health care system is good enough in Canada. In fact, I think the healthcare system is dealing with far too many sick people already. So, I want to be the CEO of my own health,” said Calgary entrepreneur Philip Unger.
Genetic tests are customizable, affordable, and accessible, giving people a sneak peek into their future health.
Unger took the Microbiome test at the BioAro Lab in Calgary. The test costs $450 and includes consultation with a dietitian.
“I’m interested because of a recent health scare around heart disease. I want to know if I have any other genetic dispositions, predispositions. And genomics is a way of being able to look into the future, look into my DNA and see just exactly what I should be planning for it, and be proactive about it,” said Unger.
The whole genome and exome DNA sequencing costs between $1,500 to $2,000 at the genomics labs in Canada, which is still cheaper than UK, Europe, and the USA.
However, knowing one’s future health can be a little overwhelming for some.
A Calgary youth Amy Stephen says it’s scary, but might be beneficial in the long run.
“It’s a little weird for sure. I guess on the same handle, if you know that you’re going to get cancer and going to die, then you might react poorly,” said Stephen.
A Calgary student, Arjun Chopra says although it’s a costly test, but in the current times of illness, he will definitely take a genetic test.
“I will be more healthy into the later stages of my life. So, I think that even if I have to pay for it, I would rather go for it. I will have the chance to adapt a healthy lifestyle accordingly,” Chopra said.
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Cardiologist and BioAro CEO, Dr. Anmol Kapoor says Calgary’s genome labs are much more advanced, and efficient than the ones abroad.
“So, having these tests done in Calgary, it’ll help speed up the process to decide what kind of mutations they have, and what kind treatment can get,” said Dr. Kapoor.
“Same thing for patients who have a heart disease and/or myocarditis, if they caught that after COVID infection or vaccination. They may have a genetic predisposition. So they’re looking for answers. So, then genetic test can provide an answer for them,” he added.
He says the public healthcare system should include genetic testing, as it will not only provide timely answers to the patients but also help reduce overall healthcare costs and burdens.
