AdventHealth Orlando (Fla.) is offering 10,000 Florida residents access to free DNA testing through a partnership with Helix, a direct-to-consumer genomics company, as part of the hospital's WholeMe study.
The study, which launched July 24, is open to all Florida residents who are at least 18 years old. Through the project, AdventHealth Orlando, part of Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based AdventHealth system, aims to study how genomics can help prevent, diagnose and treat diseases.
Participants' DNA will be evaluated for genes linked to familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic condition also known as FH that causes high cholesterol. Individuals who participate in the project will also get information regarding their ancestry traits as well as 22 personal genetic traits, including lactose tolerance, delayed sleep and earwax type.
Data collected through the study will be stored in a repository that meets HIPAA security standards as well as local, state and federal laws, according to AdventHealth Orlando's website.