Dr Sten Linnarsson is Researcher at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet. Dr Linnarsson is head of DDPDGENES, an EU project characterising genes in cells involved in Parkinson’s disease.

“Personally I wasn’t worried, but I asked for my wife’s permission before I decided to map all of my DNA. You can find out about hereditary diseases that may affect your future, and that may have been inherited by our children. She said yes. But the list of interesting facts turned out to be very short, largely due to my considerable scepticism."

"As a scientist, I know that there are still large gaps in our knowledge, not least of which concern how the combination of different genes affects the risk. You may carry risk genes, but at the same time you may also carry other genes that reduce the risk; the end result is currently very uncertain."

"For example, the results of my analysis showed that I have a disposition towards male pattern baldness, but at 40 years old I still have a fine head of hair. The analysis also indicated that I have a disposition towards being tall, which is correct as I am 2 metres tall. But the genes could only explain a 1½ cm excess above average height. This shows how complex these things are, with many factors interacting to produce an end result – the same thing is true for, for example, cardiovascular diseases."

"However, our knowledge is increasing all the time. I think the concern that people will be upset or depressed by their results is very much exaggerated. But everyone is different and, as I’m familiar with situations like these, I’m sure I can assess and handle the risk information."

"The development of gene mapping methods is happening at an incredible pace, and since the 1970s the costs have been halved each year. In ten years, I expect it will basically be free to map your DNA.”

This article was previously published in Medical Science, a magazine published by Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.