Picture Genetics Review Summary
Summary
As a subsidiary of the clinical diagnostic company, Fulgent, Picture Genetics offers rigorous and accurate at-home DNA testing for a variety of conditions, including carrier genes. Counseling is available with each test. Since the tests cannot be billed through insurance, they can be expensive for individuals.
7 Facts from our Picture Genetics Review
- Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
- Products: Six products including Picture Parenting, Picture Wellness, Picture Newborn, Picture PD Aware, Picture PGX, and COVID-19 testing
- Cost: $295 – $595 or the programs
- Reports: Positive or Negative results for genes analyzed and additional information on positive results that may affect health
- How it works: Customers create their accounts and receive their chosen test at their home. They provide blood samples and send the package to the lab. Results are available through the online portal in approximately 10 days.
- Counseling available: Yes
- Alternative Products: Nebula Genomics offers 30X Whole Genome Sequencing that decodes 100% of your DNA and offers reports on diet and much more!
This review is written with the intent to be as unbiased as possible. However, it represents the opinion of an individual reviewer and is therefore subjective. Furthermore, at Nebula Genomics we seek to educate the public about the benefits of Whole Genome Sequencing. Information about our Whole Genome Sequencing DNA test is therefore incorporated into the review.
September 20, 2022
Table of contents
- 7 Facts from our Picture Genetics Review
- Pros and Cons
- Introduction
- The Science of Picture Genetics
- Review of Picture Genetics Products
- Review of Taking a Picture Genetics Test
- Review of Picture Genetics Cost
- Review of Picture Genetics Reports
- Review of Picture Genetics Privacy
- Other Picture Genetics Reviews
- Picture Genetics in the News
- Nebula Genomics
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Analysis performed in a clinical diagnostic lab
- Various products available
- Results can be used for medical purposes
- Transparent on privacy
Cons
- Cost is higher than other at-home tests
- Only ships within the U.S. and Puerto Rico
- Unable to be billed through insurance
Introduction
Picture Genetics is a DNA testing company with a mission to help everyone gain access to their genetic analysis. It claims to be 100% focused on the health of users and their families, which is evident in their different products. Next Generation Sequencing ensures that these tests are some of the most accurate, delivering comprehensive results that can be used for medical purposes.
The reputable and established diagnostic laboratory, Fulgent Genetics, carries out Picture Genetics sequencing. Fulgent is a certified and accredited clinical diagnostic lab, working with physicians from more than 700 institutions, including Johns Hopkins, Kaiser Permanente, and Cedars-Sinai.
This genetic test stands out in that it incorporates medical professionals throughout the entire process.
The company is a consumer-focused brand of Fulgent Genetics, and it enjoys the most up to date sequencing standards. It is based in Los Angeles, California.
The Science of Picture Genetics
Picture Genetics explores genetic predispositions and provides customers with real analytical results that can be used for medical purposes. All the conditions tested for can be prevented or managed, making early detection a key to future health benefits.
The tests provided by this company also focus on future offspring. For example, the Picture parenting test analyzes 30 genes to let them know the possible genetic vulnerabilities they could pass to their children.
A diagnostic laboratory powered by Fulgent Genetics carries out all sequencing. Genetic experts create the reports, comparing your results to the general population and using the most up to date science to analyze genetic risk.
All tests come with access to genetic counseling, further assisting customers with interpreting their results, answering questions, and creating health plans.
Review of Picture Genetics Products
Picture Parenting
The parenting genetic test helps parents know the possible genetic conditions that they may pass to their children. Anyone who is currently pregnant or couples who want children in the future will benefit from this test. This test looks at 30 carrier genes linked to the most commonly inherited conditions across different populations and ethnicities.
This test does not indicate whether you are susceptible to a condition, only if you are a carrier.
Picture Wellness
The Picture Wellness product is a proactive test that provides adults with genetic information concerning their inclination towards hereditary cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and other clinically important conditions. Overall, the test analyzes 59 genes for conditions. Doctors can prevent or manage these issues, especially when detected early.
The company cites the genes responsible for every condition. This is to help users better understand which genes are responsible for their inherited vulnerabilities. This test is designed for adults without a personal or family history of cancer. After revealing their predisposition, users can discuss the results with their doctor.
Picture Newborn
This diagnostic product is designed to help parents know more about their newborns and children up to age 10. The test screens for more than 200 rare diseases related to genetics. The company designed the test to complement the standard newborn screenings, which typically cover around 30 conditions.
Although the tested conditions are rare, they can seriously impact your child’s life and include childhood cancers, cardiovascular disorders, and hearing and vision loss. Understanding their genetic risk may be key to early diagnosis and treatment.
Because in most cases the conditions show symptoms before the age of one year, this product is most beneficial for infants under two years old.
Picture PD Aware
In collaboration with the Parkinson’s Foundation and the PDGENEration study, this test helps people know if they are vulnerable to Parkinson’s disease (PD) or related conditions as they age. It may be especially useful for those with a family history.
The test assesses seven genes associated with PD. Overall, a combination of environment and genetic factors influence its development. Understanding your genetic risk may help individuals with peace of mind, preparation, and other major life decisions.
Picture PGx
The body reacts in different ways to meds and drugs. Finding how your genes respond to medications will help you get better treatments and live healthier lives. This product is a pharmacogenetics test helping users understand how their body metabolizes different medications. Types included in this analysis are statins, pain relievers, antibiotics, chemotherapies, and antidepressants.
This test is designed to help reduce adverse drug reactions (ADR), an unexpected, negative response to medication. A doctor can use the results to inform drug types and doses, limiting the trial and error phase.
It’s important to remember that pharmacogenetics is a relatively new field. Thus, we do not know everything about how these genes work. Additionally, genetics does not affect all medications. A person’s reaction to a specific drug can be influenced by a number of other factors as well.
COVID-19 Testing
As of September 2022, Picture Genetics sells an at-home test COVID-19 test authorized by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).
Review of Taking a Picture Genetics Test
Besides the COVID-19 test, all products offered by Picture Genetics follow the same process for ordering the test, collecting and returning the sample, and receiving the results.
After placing an order on the company website users fill out a basic medical questionnaire. Medical experts from an independent provider network will determine whether genetic testing is appropriate. The company approves the request in most instances.
Then, customers receive the testing kit through the mail and activate it online. They collect the DNA through a saliva sample by spitting into the provided collection tube. Then, they return the sample to the lab using the provided shipping box and pre-paid label.
Results are available three to five weeks after the sample arrives at the lab.
Picture Genetics ships its products within the United States and Puerto Rico.
Review of Picture Genetics Cost
Picture Genetics tests cost are on the high side. Below are the prices of each product
- Picture PD Aware: $595
- Picture Newborn: $395
- Picture Parenting, Wellness, and PGx: $295
- Covid-19 Test kit: $119
Review of Picture Genetics Reports
Picture Genetics reports provide customers with real information about their health, ensuring that users get a comprehensive understanding of the genes that may affect their life or the lives of their children.
The reports for each of the products will look different based on the type of test. Overall, the company seeks to make all its reports easy to understand. All Picture Genetics tests come with access to genetic counseling.
Depending on your results, a counselor may reach out or you can schedule a discussion with them, even if your results are negative. They will walk you through your results and implications.
Most of the reports provided from Picture Genetics follow the same format. The company delivers the results as a personalized Picture report online.
For each genetic variant tested for, you will receive a result of either “positive” or “negative”. Any variants you test positive for will also include the specific gene(s), associated conditions, and what it could mean for your family.
The reports differ based on the type:
- Picture Parenting: Carrier status of adults
- Picture Wellness: Predisposition status of adults
- Picture Newborn: Predisposition status of infants and young children
- Picture PD: Risks associated with PD
- Picture PGx: Variants that may affect certain medications
Review of Picture Genetics Privacy
Picture Genetics shares the same privacy policy as Fulgent Genetics, a clinical diagnostic company, which is good for consumers. The company de-identifies all data so that it cannot directly link the lab sample to your personal information.
It may use de-identified data for internal quality control and validation. Since Picture Genetics is an off-shoot of Fulgent and the two entities share a lab, samples are available to both companies. Neither Picture nor Fulgent share data with unauthorized persons. De-identified information is also submitted to databases such as ClinVar.
Clinician approval and review and genetic counseling are part of the services offered with every test. Therefore, PWNHealth, a network of independent and licensed health clinicians, will receive access to the results and your identifying information.
Picture Genetics will also share aggregated data with clinical and academic research institutions. This is not for profit, but simply for the advancement of knowledge and research. This data can never be linked to an individual and is usually in the form of statistics, not actual results.
You have the right to opt out of data sharing for research purposes when you order your test.
Other Picture Genetics Reviews
Because Picture Genetics is a diagnostic company not available on third-party sites like Amazon, there are few to no reviews available online.
Picture Genetics in the News
In August 2022, Picture Genetics’ parent company, Fulgent Genetics announced that it would begin offering Monkeypox virus testing as demand for COVID-19 tests dropped.
Nebula Genomics
Picture Genetics focuses on delivering the best results to patients so that they can know more about how their genes affect them and their children. A standout feature of Picture Genetics is that its test can be used to make medical decisions, which is very important.
However, if you are interested in knowing more about yourself and your genetic blueprint, there are even more comprehensive tests on the market. While Picture Wellness tests 59 genes related to hereditary conditions, other options exist that cover much more. For example, whole genome sequencing is the most comprehensive genetic analysis sequencing that decodes 100% of a person’s DNA.
Nebula Genomics offers 30x Whole-Genome Sequencing for almost the same price as Picture Wellness, which only decodes 59 genes. Additionally, the test is incredibly accurate and comes with other additions, including ancestry reporting and genome exploration tools. Regularly updated reports ensure that you will not miss the latest genetic research.
Although Nebula Genomics is not a diagnostic testing company like Picture Genetics, results are of the highest quality and can be used in consultation with medical care professionals.
Picture Genetics vs. Nebula Genomics
| Picture Genetics | Nebula Genomics | |
| Testing method | Saliva sample that analyzes 59 genes | Saliva test that sequences all 20,000 genes and regulatory regions |
| Reports | Diagnostic report of users’ genes | An extended genetic report that is updated regularly |
| Ancestry reporting | No | Performs deep ancestry reporting with the complete Y chromosome and mtDNA sequencing |
| Counseling | Yes | No, but data is of the highest quality and can be used by physicians and genetic counselors |
| Cost | $295-$595 | $0, $99, $299 |
Did you like our Picture Genetics review? You can read more reviews on our blog and check out our complete guide to the best DNA test kit and other home tests.
You may be particularly interested in these other clinical diagnostic lab test available:
General conditions in adults:
- ActX (integrates genomics into physician workflow)
- Ambry Genetics (risks of various disease types)
- Color (risks of cancer, genetic forms of heart disease, and medication responses)
- GeneDx (wide variety of clinical genomic tests)
- Pathway Genomics (DNA tests for various health aspects, may be used in consultation with medical providers)
- Tempus Labs (oncology, mental health, and infectious disease treatment)
Includes carrier status:
- Integrated Genetics (pre- and post-pregnancy tests)
- Invitae (diagnostics, proactive health, and reproductive health)
- Myriad Genetics (diagnostics, reproductive tests, and precision medicine tests)
- Sema4 (oncology, women’s health, carrier screening, and hereditary cancer)
- Veritas Genetics (disease risks, carrier screenings, and pharmacogenetics)
