Genetic tests at RootsTech predict if people will have cancer

Genetic tests at RootsTech predict if people will have cancer

(Courtesy of Kailos Genetics)


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SALT LAKE CITY — Genealogy enthusiasts will make their way to the annual RootsTech conference this week, with events beginning Wednesday night.

The family history conference — the largest in the world — will see a variety of vendors, classes and speakers offering information about genealogy.

Alabama-based company Kailos Genetics is attending the conference and can help educate participants about the future of their health based on their family's past if they so desire. Kailos Genetics is a genetic testing company that provides patients information on how their genetics contribute to their overall health, according to company chief scientific officer Troy Moore.

The company offers two types of test: One that shows people how they will respond to medications, such as pain relievers and antidepressants; and another that informs people of their risk of developing certain types of heritable cancers, such as breast or ovarian.

"We got into this to make genetic information more accessible to everyone, to patients that ... really want to know and understand how their genetics are contributing to their overall health," Moore said.

Anyone can order a genetic test off the Kailos Genetics website.

Moore said he finds that a lot of people who have done a lot of family history work become aware that there are things that run through their families that affect their health.


We got into this to make genetic information more accessible to everyone, to patients that ... really want to know and understand how their genetics are contributing to their overall health.

–Troy Moore, chief scientific officer for Kailos Genetics


"Often times, they don't have access to that type of information," Moore said. "So we're trying to … bridge those two worlds by attending here and trying to understand what this community of people would benefit from."

Tests cost between $99 and $225. Moore said they are more than 99 percent accurate with very low levels of false positives.

At RootsTech, the company will provide surveys for those interested in filling out information about their family's health history. The company will provide an assessment of whether or not the survey taker should get genetically tested or speak with a genetic counselor.

The company plans to do drawings for test kits at RootsTech.

"It's possible they have increased family history, and this will help understand whether they are in that high risk category," Moore said. "And if they are, there are things that they can very directly do that if you catch some of these cancers very early — breast cancer … or ovarian cancer especially — if you catch that early, it is treatable. If you catch it late in the game, it's not."

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