In addition to providing insights into genetic individuality that are useful for personalizing nutrition, medical treatments, and cosmetic procedures, DNA tests can motivate people to follow the recommendations they receive more effectively, with clear benefits for their health. In fact, when people are confronted with their own individuality, they become more aware of their weaknesses and needs.
The power of this tool was highlighted by a study conducted by scientists at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, and published in the prestigious journal *Nature Human Behavior*. The study showed that knowing the results of one’s own DNA test can influence the body’s responses, through a mechanism similar to the placebo effect.
In the first test, participants performed an endurance test on a treadmill and underwent a DNA test to check for the presence of a genetic variant of the CREB1 gene that influences the ability to exercise. The results were randomized; thus, some participants were told they had a variant of the CREB1 gene that causes them to tire more easily, while others were told they had a variant associated with exceptional physical endurance—all without any actual correlation to the real test results.
The participants then repeated the endurance test; surprisingly, those who believed they had the “disadvantageous” variant performed worse than they had in the first test, and their lung capacity was reduced regardless of which variant they actually carried. Conversely, those who were convinced they were genetically predisposed to high endurance improved their performance, even though they did not actually possess any such advantage.
In a second test, the researchers investigated the presence of a variant of the FTO gene that affects the sense of fullness perceived after a meal and may increase the risk of obesity. The researchers followed the same procedure as in the first test and then served everyone the same amount of food. Among the volunteers, those who were convinced they had the version of the gene that makes them feel full easily after eating did indeed feel “full” sooner and exhibited blood hormone levels consistent with a feeling of fullness.
Many studies have been conducted on the motivational role of DNA testing. This research can be interpreted in two ways: on the one hand, it suggests that learning about one’s genetic predisposition to develop certain physical traits can alter the body’s physiology—that is, influence the way the body responds—regardless of what is written in the genes.
From another perspective, this indicates that the professionalism of those offering DNA testing—both from a technical standpoint (reliability of results) and in terms of communicating those results—is essential to fully harnessing the potential of advances in precision medicine, especially when the test assesses predispositions to serious, incurable diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s) and for which an error in analysis or interpretation could have serious implications.
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