The Navigenics store in New York offers genetic profiling that identifies
customers' potential ailments for $2500. 

Victoria Sweeney's family has a history of heart disease and she was
worried that she might be at risk too.  So she decided to get her personalized
DNA chart done by a company called Navigenics. 

CUSTOMER VICTORIA SWEENEY SAYING:
    "I wasn't sure I wanted to know any results that might be
frightening in some way or that I couldn't do anything about but the more I
read about the Navigenics health compass and realized that it was - 18 or so
tests that actually would enable me to do something about my health depending
on the results, I was a little bit intrigued."

Navigenics isn't the first company to offer genetic testing but its
temporary Manhattan store, where Sweeney picked up her results, is unusual.


Normally the California based company does business online.  For $2500,  a
test kit is mailed to your home, you send back a saliva sample.  The sample is
analyzed, then you log on through a secure web portal to get the results.

Genetic counselors are available by phone to discuss the report which tells
you the likelihood that you'll develop ailments like diabetes, heart disease
and various forms of cancer.  

The service is focused on prevention not diagnosis, says Elissa Levin,
director of Navigenic's genetic counseling program.
 
ELISSA LEVIN, NAVIGENICS DIRECTOR OF GENETICS
COUNSELING PROGRAM SAYING:
"The idea is to help people understand what might lie ahead, what they
might have an increased genetic risk for so that they can then focus their
healthcare specifically on those conditions."

Some critics say Navigenics is a case of Too Much Information and worry
that customers may not understand the results.

But a day of shopping in the future may just as likely include having your
genes analyzed as buying a trendy pair of blue jeans.

As for Victoria Sweeney- it turns out she needs to watch out for diabetes
type 2, psoriasis and obesity but heart disease did not show up on her
chart.

Manoush Zomorodi, Reuters, New York