Genetic testing has yet to become a routine part of workplace wellness initiatives. Still, researchers from The Jackson Laboratory and the University of Michigan are investigating the potential impact if it were incorporated. Their study, scheduled for publication in the August edition of Genetics in Medicine, captures real-world perspectives from employees following employer-sponsored genetic testing. It sheds light on how these insights could help employers make educated decisions about including genetic testing in their health programmes.
Looking towards the future of individual health management, Kunal Sanghavi, MBBS, M.S., CGC, Associate Director of Genetic Counseling at The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine and a lead researcher in the study, remarked, “Genetic testing might very well shape the future of personal health.” He highlighted the study’s relevance to ongoing research at JAX that focuses on genetic markers and their application in personalised medicine, potentially offering precise treatments to those most in need.
The research involved a survey of employees from an extensive healthcare system, which employed about 30,000 individuals and introduced a genetic testing (wGT) option in their wellness benefits in the autumn of 2018. A third-party service conducted this programme. It included testing for genes linked to higher risks of cancer and heart disease and pharmacogenes that influence how a person metabolises medications and their susceptibility to side effects.
Of 776 survey respondents, 418 underwent genetic testing and received their results. The survey sought details on their health service usage and changes in health behaviours following their results. Among those tested, 12% were informed of an elevated cancer risk and 9.5% learned of an increased heart disease risk. These individuals were significantly more likely to consult a healthcare professional and change their health habits. Furthermore, 31.4% of those who underwent genetic testing found the pharmacogenomic results potentially helpful for future medical prescriptions.
Elizabeth Charnysh, M.S., CGC, a genetic counsellor at JAX and the study’s lead author, noted that most participants felt their results quenched their curiosity about their health status, with 74.7% affirming this sentiment. She also mentioned that those with negative results often felt reassured about their health. However, she cautioned against overconfidence as negative results do not eliminate other risk factors like lifestyle or family history, potentially leading to false reassurance and employee misunderstandings.
The broader project, “Ethical, Legal, Social and Policy Implications of Workplace Genetic Testing,” aims to comprehensively examine employee and employer views on genetic testing at work. Led by Charles Lee, PhD, FACMG, scientific director and Robert Alvine Family Endowed Chair and professor at The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, along with the University of Michigan Professor Scott Roberts, PhD, the project uses a multi-faceted approach to guide the national implementation of workplace genetic testing. Insights from this research might also influence other new genetic testing initiatives intended for the general public. Further studies from this team will explore ethical considerations and the broader consequences of workplace genetic testing, aiming to maximise its benefits and minimise potential harms.
Professor Roberts commented on the promising signs that employees who discovered their increased risks were taking preventative measures but emphasised the need for future research to verify the health benefits realised by participants in workplace genetic testing programmes.
More information: Elizabeth Charnysh et al, Health care utilization and behavior changes after workplace genetic testing at a large US health care system, Genetics in Medicine. DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2024.101160
Journal information: Genetics in Medicine Provided by Jackson Laboratory