Frequently Asked Questions

The test is based on a simple blood/saliva sample that will be collected by a phlebotomist at your door. DNA is extracted from the sample and all genes (~20,000) are sequenced using modern, large scale sequencing methods. These gene sequences are then compared with those for the “average” human to identify variants, positions in your genes where you are different from the average human.

To register, visit the website https://strandls.com/strand-genomic-health-insights/

You can also install our latest app and order the test from there – It is available both on Android and IOS.

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.strandls.ghi&pcampaignid=web_share

IOS: https://apps.apple.com/in/app/genomic-health-insights/id6469619131

Our customer support team will get in touch to coordinate payment and other logistical details from you.

Your data will be stored on a secure server with state of the art security measures in place. You will have access to your data through the GHI portal.

The Genomic Health Insight report will be available both on web portal as well as on our GHI mobile app. You will get the login credentials after you register for the test.

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.strandls.ghi&pcampaignid=web_share

IOS: https://apps.apple.com/in/app/genomic-health-insights/id6469619131

The turn-around-time is 21 working days after sample collection. At or before that point, your will get log in credentials for your GHI portal where your genomic information will be resident.

Each individual carries 30-50k genomic variants. Detecting and analysing these with sophisticated bioinformatics can give insights into various adult onset diseases and other information relevant to individual’s health and wellness.

Please register for the test by visiting this link and our CS team will walk you through the process. You can also order test for them using our mobile app. Android and iOS.

Out of the 3 billion characters that constitute a human genome, we understand the characters that lie in our ~20,000 genes the best. These carry recipes for the creation of various important biomolecules that keep our bodies functioning. GHI sequences these genes.

A genomic variant refers to a character in a gene where you are different from the “average human”. The gene data for an “average human” are stored in large scientific databases and are also referred to as Reference Genomes. Each of us carries ~50,000 personalized variants in our ~20,000 genes relative to the “average” human.

We inherit 3 billion genomic characters from each parent. A variant is Homozygous if it is found in the characters inherited from BOTH parents and Heterozygous if it is found in the characters inherited from only one parent. X-linked variants are those present on the X-chromosome. Males have only one X-chromosome and hence the ramifications of a variation found on an X-chromosome can be doubly detrimental to gene function (since there is no healthy paternal variant to compensate for the potential dysfunction).

Each of us carries ~50,000 personalized variants in these genes relative to the “average” human. These variants make each of us different from the other. Most of these variants have only subtle effects, if any, on our health. But some are more potent than the others. A few act single-handedly or in small groups, while most act in large teams. For example, did you know that your height is determined by tens of thousands of variants acting together. \nWe evaluate current scientific evidence to classify variants accordingly as per guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics. A Pathogenic variant has conclusive scientific evidence, while a Likely Pathogenic variant has enough evidence that stops just short of being conclusive. Variants that don’t have enough evidence or variants known not to have health impact are not reported.

An “Observation of Significance” refers to the presence of a variant that could have a significant impact on your health or that of your offspring. We evaluate current scientific evidence to classify variants accordingly as per guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics. A Pathogenic variant has conclusive scientific evidence, while a Likely Pathogenic variant has enough evidence that stops just short of being conclusive.

Recessive disorders are Genetic Disorders that require the affected individual to have TWO disease-causing genomic variants, i.e., the character inherited from the mother and that inherited from the father must BOTH be disease-causing. Both parents are carriers, i.e., they have only one disease-causing variant each, and therefore are not themselves affected. Dominant disorders are Genetic Disorders where an individual affected by the disorder has only ONE disease causing variant, i.e., EITHER the character inherited from the mother OR that inherited from the father is sufficient to cause the disease. Individuals suffering from dominant disorders will manifest with frank disease making testing only confirmatory. GHI does not report these variants and disorders. X-linked diseases are caused by variant genomic characters on the X chromosome. This is a sex-determining chromosome—males receive their sole copy from their mothers, while females receive a copy from each parent. For males, a single disease-causing variant in their sole copy of the X chromosome can cause disease. In contrast, females are more protected as they have two copies of the X chromosome. So these so-called X-linked recessive diseases (XR) affect males only. The mother is a carrier in these cases, i.e., she has the disease-causing variant in one of her two copies. Carrier testing can identify if you as a potential mother are the carrier for an XR disease. In GHI, we cover over 21 such diseases.

The ramification of a “heterozygous variant of significance” is to your children. If you are a woman and a carrier for an X-linked Recessive disease, or you and your spouse are both carriers for an Autosomal Recessive disease, then talk to your gynecologist or a fetal medicine expert about various options to manage your pregnancy.

A “homozygous variant of significance” called out by your GHI report will be discussed with your Report counsellor after you schedule your appointment. Thereafter, you should work closely with your clinician to further confirm, assess, and manage your risk.

This applies if you are male. A hemizygous variant resides on the X chromosome of which all males have only one copy. Such a variant of significance is most likely to manifest itself in some form. Discuss this with our genomic counsellor after scheduling an appointment. Thereafter, you should work closely with your clinician to further confirm, assess, and manage your risk.

When your GHI report says “No variants of significance” were found this means that based on our current knowledge, you are not at increased risk from the known genomic causes covered by GHI. However, scientific knowledge is advancing rapidly so please watch your account for any updates as more information becomes available. It is extremely important to note that the onset of disorders can be multifactorial including environmental and lifestyle modulated. GHI only determines genetic predispositions and risks. You are advised to continue to take all precautions to lead a continued healthy lifestyle to minimize other risks.

Genes carry recipes for the creation of biomolecules that are important for the proper functioning of our bodies. Some genomic variants change these recipes in predictable ways. Some others may do the same but not enough is known to conclude that they will. The former types of variants are those we categorise as leading to an obvious change in gene structure. Note however that a change in gene structure may not necessarily cause a change in gene function, so such variants may not necessarily have any impact.

GHI has adopted a high scientific evidence base for reporting of significant variants. Unless a variant single handedly (and not in concert with many many other variants and environmental effects) creates a substantial effect, GHI will not report it. Given the current state of knowledge, variants with small effects that do not provide enough clear predictive power are not considered. Other similar tests rely on variants outside genes and variants common to many individuals; these typically have small effects and do not provide enough clear predictive power.

These variants that cause obvious changes to gene structure may NOT always be reported as an “Observation of Significance” in your GHI report. This is because some some variants that cause changes in gene structure do NOT change the function of the gene product and hence will not manifest themselves. These “Near Miss” variant statistics are mentioned in the “Your Personalized Statistics” section of the GHI Report.

Yes, the GHI portal will be constantly updated to stay abreast of scientific progress in the respective clinical areas of interest. Please check back in to stay abreast of these updates.