Comment by petesergeant

These tests are not useless, but I’d agree (from personal experience) that it’s far from clear that everyone should take one.

There’s a degenerative genetic disease that runs in my family that for various reasons we only found out about ten years ago. To get the test done in the UK for it, you have to go to mandatory genetic counselling where they try to convince you not to get it done. Of four siblings, the two of us who thought initially we’d definitely get it done, we’ve not, and the two who were sure they wouldn’t, have done.

They try and convince you not to get it done so you don’t end up confusing being tired one morning or tripping with “oh my God it’s starting”.

Everyone should get their affairs in order, regularly, without needing a test, if they care about their loved ones.