Customer Reviews

To Test or Not To Test: A Guide to Genetic Screening and Risk

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Dr. Zallen's latest book continues to impress me with a layman's approach to deciding on the good and bad points of genetic testing. While Dr. Zallen doesn't make the decision for you, she provides lots of clues of what can and can't work for you. I particularly enjoyed the many real-life cases she provides. The book is extremely readable and very informative. I've bought several copies to share with friends who can learn from it.

As the former editor in chief of DNA.com and the editor who launched two genetics channels on WebMD in 2000-2001 (one for consumers and one for physicians), I can say without a doubt that Virginia Tech professor Doris Zallen is my pick for the best genetic testing expert who can write for consumer audiences. She has been doing this throughout her career in simple, concise, easy to understand books (with no dumbing down). I think of this book as the Consumer Reports guide to genetic testing.

This book provides the fruits of Prof. Zallen's in-depth research interviewing 100 people who have had to make a decision about genetic testing for breast cancer, colon cancer, hemochromatosis or Alzheimer's disease. Half of the people she interviewed had a genetic counselor; half did not. You will find the results quite interesting to read.

There is no other book (and no one else who has done the research) to tell you what REAL people think, do and feel when it comes to making decisions about genetic testing.

Don't make any decisions until you have read this book! You will be glad to have it. I recommend getting a copy for yourself and getting additional copies for your family members. They will thank you for it. And we should all thank Doris for writing this much needed and very useful book.