With the gradual penetration of genetic concepts and related genetic testing products into the lives of the general public, some companies in foreign countries have started providing free genetic testing for employees. These tests are usually related to metabolism, weight gain and overeating. Other companies, such as Visa, Slack Technologies, a software developer, and Instacart, a grocery distribution company, provide their employees with mutation detection of breast and ovarian cancer-related genes as one of the company’s employee benefits. Such new types of benefits can provide counseling and guidance to employees' health to a great extent, prevent them early, and avoid health problems.

Genetic testing makes employees lose weight more productive

As most working people have high work pressure, irregular diet, and lack of exercise, obesity has become increasingly prominent, and genetic screening associated with obesity is very popular. A recent survey by Towers Watson and the National Business Health Group shows that the costs of obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes account for a large part of the overall cost of healthcare, and it is estimated that an employee spends more than $12,000. Through genetic testing, employees can be motivated to lose weight more actively, helping to reduce these costs and make employees healthier.

In cooperation with Newtopia, a personalized medicine company, the Jackson Laboratory will provide a genetically-based health program for 110 employees at high risk of metabolic syndrome, to avoid the occurrence of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke caused by the syndrome. Currently, 29 Jackson employees collected saliva to detect three genes: DRD2 ("Diet Behavior" gene); MC4R, ("Gastrostomosis" gene) and FTO ("Fat Body" gene). Newtopia will provide guidance based on the test results. For example, if a person's "body fat" gene shows that they are prone to gain weight, the company will advise them to do more intense exercise.

The cost of this project is about 500 US dollars per employee per year. Of course, those who have no genetic mutation can also participate. In contrast, a survey by Fidelity Investments and the National Business Health Group showed that the company spent an average of 693 US dollars per employee on this year's health incentives.

So far, Aetna has signed agreements with six companies to provide Newtopia's genetic testing and genetic health program. Aetna Insurance first provided this project for its own company's 445 employees with high risk of metabolic syndrome. According to Aetna Insurance, more than three-quarters of participants lost an average of ten pounds of weight during the pilot and helped the company save $600,000 (approximately $1,464 per employee). Gregory Steinberg, the director of Aetnaise's clinical innovation department, said that with these genetic information, the weight loss process is no longer a mystery, especially for those employees who are ineffective using traditional dieting programs.

Holly Savage, a biomedical technician at the Jackson Laboratory, considers himself to be the type of person who will gain weight by drinking saliva. Newtopia's tests showed that she carries two genetic variants that make it easier for her to maintain her weight. She also carries mutations in the appetite gene MC4R, which is difficult to produce satiety. Newtopia recommends that she reduce the consumption of addictive foods like sugar and start running because genetic tests show that she needs more strenuous exercise to lose weight. In the process she lost 42 pounds.

Employee gene privacy should pay attention

Although the company provides genetic testing as an employee's welfare, some people worry that this will infringe on the privacy of employees' genetic information and lead to illegal discrimination. Employees may worry that their genetic information will eventually fall into the hands of the boss. The Jackson Laboratory assured employees that the test was voluntary and the company would not receive any test results. They also ensure that testing and health instruction come from Newtopia, not the Jackson Laboratory. At the same time, Newtopia stated that they would not share the employee's genetic data with their employers, but the company could get information on the weight loss of employees. In October last year, the United States Fair Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) proposed rules that allow companies to provide genetic health programs for employees and their spouses. As long as the project is voluntary, companies cannot make use of genetic data for employment decisions.

Employees' Cancer Genetic Testing Should Be Cautious

Last year, nearly 20 companies, including Slack, Instacart and Visa, announced that they will use Color Genomics products to provide employees with screening for genetic variants related to ovarian and breast cancer. Anne Toth, deputy director of Slack’s Personnel Department, said she hopes more staff will be able to undergo testing and be alert to possible illnesses. Nearly 20% of U.S. employees who met qualifying conditions tested. This situation is more common in high-tech companies.

Cancer gene screening is trickier. A US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) report pointed out that many laboratory self-construction tests, including some genetic screenings, may be unreliable. Color Genomics and Newtopia did not appear in this FDA report. George Annas, a professor of bioethics at Boston University, worries that employees in the future may take drastic actions to deal with genetic test results, leading to unnecessary medical procedures. Therefore, it is particularly important to further strengthen the concept of genetic testing.