"Uncovering the Link Between DNA and Opioid Addiction Risk"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by National Geographic
The FDA has approved AvertD, the first genetic test to identify those at risk for opioid use disorder, but experts have expressed skepticism about the ability of polygenic tests to meaningfully identify people at high risk for psychiatric conditions like opioid addiction. While polygenic risk tests offer promise for a range of other diseases, they have limitations in predicting psychiatric conditions due to the complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors. The test's manufacturer defends the science behind AvertD, but experts emphasize the need for more diverse, larger studies to accurately identify genetic risk factors for opioid addiction and caution that genetic risk is only part of the picture, with environmental factors playing a significant role.
