The terrifying way to know how and when you'll die | 60 Minutes Australia

Do you want to know the future, how long you're going to live? How, and even when you'll die? For many of us, that's a pretty scary thought. But it can be done. There's a simple, do-it-yourself DNA test that can tell if you're likely to suffer from cancer, heart attack or even Alzheimer's disease - a glimpse of the killer within, knowledge that could help save your life. And now, more and more Australians are taking the test to ease the uncertainty, to get a hint of what's in store.

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[chancerobinson]

I’ve already been told that I was expected to die and gather the family (that would have me) around. Now, 50 years later, the Doctors are all dead and I am typing this! 😂🎉

[hummingbirdofgumption]

These genetic predispositions are often just worst case scenarios if you don't take care of yourself. My 94 year old aunt did a DNA test. We figured she had the golden genome because she looks awesome (barely any wrinkles) and is doing so well. Nope. She has a terrible genome. She's predisposed to pretty much everything and should've died fairly early in life. However, she lived a very healthy life.

[dharmawannab]

I'd fear the insurance companies in the US would use it as a reason not to insure people (siting preexisting conditions)

[myunknownland]

My parents were both unwell but lived a relatively happy lives. Living to 92 and 88 with heart, cancer and diabetes. While I'm here I'll thank God for every day above the ground as they too did. Thanks for the information, very interesting.

[deanneparis]

You get your results and you are good for 100 years. You are so excited about your results that you step into the road without looking and get hit by a bus.

[TheDani]

I had a DNA test done about 6 months ago to see what would help with my inflammation response because of my lupus. It went so in depth that it took me about 6 hours to get through the information. It drilled down so specifically and gave recommendations as to both lifestyle changes and supplements that would help (btw they have). Learned so much from that test. It made everything make sense. When my husband saw how much information I got from mine he had his done. His biggest concern was dementia as his mother passed from it. He did not carry the gene (thank goodness). It is absolutely worth the money. Wish we would have done it earlier.

Even if you get the testing done and it says you don't have the breast cancer gene, still continue to get your nanograms. My daughter passed away from triple negative breast cancer, when doing her DNA testing to see if she was a candidate for gene therapy she was told it was a type of cancer that isn't genetic.

[michaelsmith]

I found out who my bio-parents were six yrs. ago. They both died at 57 yrs. I had two heart attacks at 57 and two of my bio brothers died at 57 from heart attacks. I am 70 now and have been chronically ill ever since. I don't want to know anymore, I feel bad enough.

[Cleatus]

I took that test and discovered that I died 10 years ago. Now the company has informed me that I have a zero percent chance of getting a refund.

[_Dk]

Did a 23 and Me DNA test, here in 🇺🇸 and it costs about $160.00 that included the medical portion. Was enlightening. 😊 But remember life style choices can greatly influence future medical conditions.

[StarsForward]

Our personal DNA is the one single thing we have that is uniquely ours, and it blows me away to think that the majority of people will eagerly hand theirs over to basically anyone who asks.

[donaldcarey]

Insurance companies would love to have everyone's DNA test results - that way they could deny claims due to "preexisting conditions".

[lilyfelinski]

I just started watching and what comes to my mind is that in addition to genetics is your lifestyle. It's important what/how much you eat and drink, your sleep hygiene, physical, emotional and mental stress, one's daily activities, exercise, the air you breath and so forth. Best of luck to everyone.

[Ghost-unoe]

I would want to know if I didn't have to give up my DNA to the government and law enforcement.

[Milestonemonger]

My great aunt had breast cancer. She died at the age of 102.

[ESUSAMEX]

I wouldn't mind knowing what may kill me, but I do not want to know when. Knowing what may kill me gives me a change to change my habits, but knowing my final date would be just dreadful unless that date was 200 years from now.

[donnaengel]

I worry over so many health related issues that I feel it would be a relief to know.

[S.E.C-R]

Interesting that this was 14 years ago in 2009. I wonder if anything has developed with either of them with the higher alzheimers risk.

[gutz]

I am reminded of a scene from the X-Files where an agent sent to protect a medium who could predict how someone was going to die just by interacting with them, asked "Are smokes going to kill me?" the medium said "No." So the agent, smilingly went outside to light up a cig and was killed by the people sent to kidnap the medium. That's basically how I see life. For all you know this may be your last day, would you want to live it worrying about when you are gonna die or would you rather live it like it could be your last?

[Cleatus]

My sister took that test last year and she discovered that she has a 68 percent chance of dying from prostate cancer 5 years ago.

[aussiemomjan]

Just make sure you can handle the results. I tested 14 years ago and have Huntingtons Disease. Thankfully my CAG number is low which means I develop it later in life. I am later in life 55 and had to quit my teaching job. It is a hard road.