What does it mean when Genome Explorer says a variant is Pathogenic?

Genome Explorer is a tool for viewing raw DNA data and public annotations. When a variant is labeled Pathogenic, that label refers to how the variant itself is classified in scientific sources. It is not a medical diagnosis and it does not by itself indicate your personal risk.

Why Genome Explorer shows terms like Pathogenic and Benign

• These are standard genetics terms used in clinical and research databases such as ClinVar.
• Pathogenic means there is evidence that the variant can contribute to disease.
• Benign means the variant is not currently thought to cause disease.
• The label is tied to the variant record, not to any single person.

Important context about your own DNA

• A variant can display as Pathogenic even if you do not carry that variant. Check the Your Data or Genotype column to confirm whether it appears in your genome.
• Even if you do carry a variant labeled Pathogenic, actual health impact depends on many factors such as zygosity, other variants, clinical history, and environment. A label alone does not predict disease.

How to get interpretation that applies to you

• Use Sequencing apps that provide interpreted results for your genome. These apps connect your actual genotype to relevant clinical context and summarize next steps.
• If results raise health questions, consider discussing them with a qualified clinician or genetic counselor.

Where classifications come from

• Genome Explorer displays labels sourced from public variant databases and literature curation.
• Classifications can change over time as new evidence becomes available. Revisit your results periodically to see updates.