S6.07: Chris Hemsworth took a genetic test for Alzheimer's. Should you?
Hello, and welcome to Genetics Unzipped - the Genetics Society podcast, with Dr Sally Le Page. In this episode we’re discussing the genetics of Thor, well, Chris Hemsworth, his Alzheimer’s genetic results and the pros and cons of direct to consumer genetic tests.
At the end of last year, Chris Hemsworth, the actor who plays Thor in the Marvel movies revealed he was at particularly high risk for developing Alzheimer’s. He was filming a TV show called Limitless about pushing the limits of the human body and slowing down ageing, and so undertook a whole series of health and fitness tests, including a genetic test for the APOE gene associated with Alzheimer’s risk.
Kira Dineen: A genetic counsellor’s view on DNA testing
To help unpick what Alzheimer’s genetic testing involves, and direct to consumer testing more generally like 23 and Me or AncestryDNA, Sally sat down with Kira Dineen, a genetic counsellor and host and creator of the DNA Today podcast covering topics around genetics and health.
That’s all for now. Thanks to Kira Dineen, and you can listen to more of Kira talking about genetic counselling and how genetics impacts human health on her podcast, DNA Today.
We’ll be back next time taking a look at genetics in pop culture, from comics to musicals, even to Great British Bake Off!
For more information about this podcast including show notes, transcripts, links, references and everything else head over to geneticsunzipped.com You can find us on Twitter @geneticsunzip and please do take a moment to leave us a rating in the Spotify app or review us on Apple podcasts - it really makes a difference and helps more people discover the show.
This episode of Genetics Unzipped was written, presented and produced by Sally Le Page. It’s a First Create the Media production for The Genetics Society - one of the oldest learned societies dedicated to promoting research, training, teaching and public engagement in all areas of genetics. You can find out more and apply to join at genetics.org.uk. The executive producer is Kat Arney, our theme music was composed by Dan Pollard, the logo was designed by James Mayall, and audio production was by Emma Werner. Thanks for listening, and until next time, goodbye.
Image credits:
Chris Hemsworth (2019), Image courtesy of Gage Skidmore (CC BY3.0)
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