DNA testing kits now sold in American grocery stores

A partnership between US grocery retailer Albertson and medical tech company Genomind saw Genomind’s DNA testing kits made available to purchase at select Albertson stores. The test – called the Genecept Assay – helps determine how an individual will respond to different psychiatric medications by studying genes responsible for neurotransmitter and metabolism pathways. Users simply take a swab sample from their mouths, post it with a prepaid packet, and receive an online report within five days. DNA testing firms such as 23andMe have already done much to popularize the idea that all consumers can know their DNA. And hey, since there’s now a quick and easy way to discover your genetic heritage, or even help you choose the perfect housemate, why not have a DNA test to help you manage your mental health, too? The potential benefits of more effective treatments for mental illnesses are hard to understate: around 615 million people worldwide suffer from anxiety or depression.