Health is often framed as a matter of discipline and diet, yet the truth runs much deeper. Beneath the routines we curate lies a genetic script that shapes how our bodies operate, how our minds tick, and even how we respond to certain foods or surroundings. Your routine can lead the way, but your DNA often decides the direction.
As testing technologies advance and become more accessible, the conversation around wellbeing is shifting, revealing just how closely our choices and our biology are intertwined. To understand this relationship with more clarity, Masala spoke with Rahul Pawa, founder of YourGenes, who is carving out new ground in Thailand’s wellness landscape.
His work brings DNA and epigenetic insights into everyday health, offering a more thorough view of what truly drives our wellbeing, from the inside out.
My background is in genetics, and I have been working in the biotechnology industry for nearly 15 years. From a young age, I was naturally curious, which eventually led me to pursue a career in science.
I have primarily worked in the research and development space, supporting clients in developing their product ideas from proof of concept to pilot-scale manufacturing. However, I had always hoped to do something closer to patients, something with a direct and immediate impact on people.
For this reason, I decided to launch a new venture, YourGenes.
For years, people associated genetics only with crime series or science fiction films; it was not considered relevant to daily life. Recently, however, DNA sequencing technology has advanced tremendously, and the cost of testing has come down significantly.
Furthermore, after the COVID-19 period, people have become far more familiar and comfortable with at-home testing. These two factors together have created the right time to pursue a business that connects genetic testing with personalised health recommendations.
Given my background in this field, I felt that it was an opportune time to introduce something novel and innovative to the Thai market.
I have always felt that the wellness space in Thailand is growing rapidly, although it remains largely clinic-focused. It often requires people to visit clinics, speak with specialists, and undergo complex tests taken from blood, stool, or urine.
We wanted to introduce a simple and non-invasive option that can be completed at home by providing only a saliva sample. In addition, the industry feels fragmented and divided into two main sectors: major hospitals that focus on conventional treatments, and wellness clinics that explore more cutting-edge, sometimes not fully validated approaches.
They are often positioned as opposites, leaving patients to choose between the two. My view is that our test is complementary to what hospitals already offer.
When you pair a DNA test with an annual check-up or blood test, you gain a more complete understanding of your current health.
I would not describe myself as particularly fit, but I have always been conscious of my health. I try to be mindful of what I eat, and since turning 30, I have made it a habit to undergo an annual physical.
However, I often felt that the results I received offered only a snapshot of my current condition, and I wanted something more in-depth. This encouraged me to explore other tests available in the market beyond the standard annual physical.
Our product is an at-home, saliva-based test. When you place an order, the kit is delivered to your home along with a step-by-step guide on how to collect your saliva sample. The process is very simple and completely non-invasive.
Inside the kit is a collection tube into which you provide up to two millilitres of saliva. Once you have completed the sample, we arrange a collection from your home and send it to our partner laboratory in the UK.
From your saliva, we analyse your DNA and provide 12 reports in PDF format, delivered to you by email. Each report focuses on a different aspect of health and wellness.
We intentionally avoid disease-risk analysis and prioritise insights that you can apply to your daily life to enhance your overall wellbeing. The price of the kit includes all transportation costs as well as the reports, with no additional charges.
Our test is the only one on the market that combines both DNA and epigenetics in a single analysis. Put simply, DNA is the code you inherit from your mother and father, and it remains unchanged throughout your life.
It forms the blueprint from which all the cells in your body function. Traditionally, DNA testing has been used to identify disease risks, such as mutations that increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer.
However, as DNA testing has become more accessible, research has expanded to explore genes related to daily life functions beyond disease risk. These are the genes our test examines.
For instance, it can reveal whether you have genes that increase or decrease your risk of deficiencies in certain vitamins or macronutrients, or even psychological traits, such as a predisposition to anger.
It is important to note that there is a significant gap between your DNA code and whether it is actually expressed. This gap is largely influenced by environmental factors, primarily your lifestyle choices, including diet, exercise, sleep, and stress.
This is where the epigenetics section of our test is extremely interesting, where we provide you with your biological age. If, for example, you have not been living a healthy life for the past six months to a year, your biological age may be older than your chronological age.
If they are not aligned, it could lead to potential health repercussions as you age. Along with your results, we provide recommendations to help you return to healthier habits if needed or maintain your current biological age if you are already on track.
When you pair a DNA test with an annual check-up or blood test, you gain a more complete understanding of your current health.
We provide a total of 12 reports, each examining a different aspect of health and wellness. For example, one report focuses specifically on supplements and vitamins.
This does not provide the current levels of each vitamin or supplement in your bloodstream, which is what you would receive from a standard blood test. Instead, it indicates your genetic risk of being deficient in particular vitamins or supplements.
This helps you understand which supplements you should prioritise. A personal favourite of mine is the report that examines psychological traits.
From this test, I discovered that I tend to be a workaholic. It was something I already suspected, but it was still remarkably insightful to have it confirmed by the results.
Our test is the only one that combines both epigenetics and DNA in a single assessment. Our sample collection method is also the simplest, as we collect saliva without the need for a swab.
Other tests on the market tend to have their own specific areas of focus. One brand focuses on talent-related genes for children, while another specialises in ancestry.
Our test is designed specifically for health and wellness insights.
With each result, you receive personalised and easy-to-follow recommendations that you can incorporate into your daily routine quickly and effortlessly. In some cases, simply knowing the result is enough to guide how you adjust your lifestyle.
For instance, if you learn that your energy levels peak later in the day, you can structure your schedule to start and finish later. Other insights, such as whether you metabolise caffeine slowly, normally, or quickly, can help you decide the best time to have your final cup of coffee to ensure a good night’s sleep.
A popular feature among women is the ability to see whether they have a genetic tendency to develop wrinkles with age, along with a suggested skincare routine to help slow the process.