WhatB次元官网网址檚 one of the most important gifts you can give your family? For Julie Evans, with in Colwood, itB次元官网网址檚 not necessarily money or property, but knowledge.
In particular, itB次元官网网址檚 the ability to discover through DNA collection and testing the potential health risks family members might face after weB次元官网网址檙e gone.
As an older mom of a young daughter, Evans realizes she may never meet her grandchildren and so appreciates being able to share the information with future generations.
B次元官网网址淚 can possibly save the lives of my family members down the line. If my daughter ever needs the information my DNA holds, and it could save her life or her childrenB次元官网网址檚 lives, I want to give her this gift,B次元官网网址� says Evans, who with Sands and Vancouver-based , offers DNA collection from loved ones who have passed, before embalming or cremation.
from on .
Innovations improve access to technology
While Canadian-led advancements have made collection and long-term storage of DNA B次元官网网址� your genetic material B次元官网网址� more commonplace, many donB次元官网网址檛 think about it unless thereB次元官网网址檚 a known health risk or paternity issue.
B次元官网网址淭he ability to collect samples and to keep it at home at room temperature has changed who has access to banking their familyB次元官网网址檚 DNA,B次元官网网址� Evans says.
B次元官网网址淚t also opens the door for personalized medicine,B次元官网网址� Evans notes. In some situations, testing could help determine which treatments will be most effective for an individual, for example, or which would not work.
How it works
The collected sample contains cells and a full set of genetic information in the form of DNA. This B次元官网网址済enetic blueprintB次元官网网址� contains information about a personB次元官网网址檚 ancestry, health conditions and traits.
Samples, sent securely to SecuriGene for processing, are tracked every step of the way to ensure thereB次元官网网址檚 no room for error.
At the laboratory, DNA is extracted from the cell, purified, concentrated and preserved for long-term, room-temperature storage. Preserved DNA will not degrade over time and will be readily available for future genetic testing.
Beyond genetic testing for potential health concerns, samples are also suitable for kinship testing, paternity testing, forensic medical testing and court-admissible testing.
Start the discussion
B次元官网网址淥ur role is to listen, to educate, to guide, and to offer options to the families we serve after a death has occurred,B次元官网网址� says Evans. B次元官网网址淚nterest is growing as people become more aware how readily available DNA collection and at-home storage is. ItB次元官网网址檚 an important conversation we have to ensure families are aware of the option.B次元官网网址�
For those pre-planning and pre-paying for their funeral arrangements, the costs of collection, preparation and shipping can also be included, Evans says, If desired, Sands staff can also collect samples from living family members, or they can order tests directly from SecuriGene.
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Learn more about Sands Funeral Chapel, Cremation and Reception Centre , visit on , or stop by at 317 Goldstream Ave.