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Genetic testing often comes with a lot of questions. What does a test look for? How are conditions passed down in families? What happens after I order? We built Tara to help people find clear answers, whenever they need them.
Maybe you’re planning a family and want to know about carrier screening. Maybe you’d like to understand more about your own health. Either way, it helps to have someone to ask, without having to wait for an appointment.
Tara is Genotype Health’s AI genetics assistant. It works alongside our genetic counsellors and clinical team. It doesn’t replace them.
What Tara does
Before you choose a test. You can chat with Tara to learn about the tests we offer. Tara can explain what each test covers, including the genes and conditions it looks at. It can also tell you how the at-home sample kit works and how long results take. When you’re ready, Tara can add a test to your cart straight from the chat.
Tara won’t tell you which test is “best” for you. It gives you clear, factual information about each option so you can make your own choice. If you’d like help deciding, Tara will connect you with our team.
After you order. Tara walks you through important pre-test information in short, easy steps. This covers how genetic conditions are inherited, what the test can and can’t tell you, and common genetics terms. At each step you can say “I understand”, ask a question, or skip ahead to consent. The consent step is never skipped. You always read and confirm it yourself.
Tara then guides you through a short medical and family history form. Your answers help our team see whether you should talk with a genetic counsellor before your sample goes to the lab.
What Tara doesn’t do
Tara gives general information specific to genetic testing and Genotype Health products and services. I can't access the internet for information. It doesn’t interpret your results, work out your personal risk, or give medical advice about a specific condition. Those conversations belong with a genetic counsellor or doctor.
- If you have symptoms, Tara will suggest you see your doctor.
- If you or your family have a known inherited condition, Tara will explain that a screening test may not be the right fit. It will help you connect with our team.
- If you’d rather talk to a person at any time, Tara will hand you over to our team.
Every clinical decision is made by our people. Tara can highlight things for our team to check, but all approvals are done by our staff.
Why we built Tara
Our mission is to make quality genetic testing and counselling available to more people, in more places. That includes people in rural and remote areas, and communities that have been left out of genetic research in the past. You can read more about this in our founder story and our work on genomic equity.
Genetic counsellors are a precious resource. Tara takes care of the general information everyone needs, at any time of day. That frees our counsellors to spend more time on the conversations that really need a person.
Waiting to speak with a genetic counsellor can take time, and many people have simple questions they’d like answered first. With Tara, you can explore those questions at your own pace, from home, before deciding on any next steps.
Tara is new, and still improving
Tara is brand new, and we’re open about that. Like any new tool, it won’t be perfect from day one. Sometimes Tara may not know the answer to a question, or may not explain something as clearly as we’d like.
That’s why Tara never works alone. Our clinical team reviews Tara’s conversations when they check each order and prepare for consultations and follow-up. If they notice something Tara got wrong or could explain better, we use it to correct mistakes and improve Tara.
We’re also continuing to test Tara with genetic counsellors and real users, and we’ll keep making updates over the coming months. You’ll see Tara grow and improve over time.
If something Tara says doesn’t seem right, or you’re unsure about anything, please ask to speak with our team. We’d also love to hear your feedback. It helps us make Tara better for everyone.
For GPs and clinicians
Patients you refer to us go through Tara too. They receive the same pre-test information and complete the same consent process as everyone else. This means every patient starts their testing journey with a consistent, clear foundation.
Tara also helps our clinical team spot patients who may need to speak with a genetic counsellor before testing. Our team then reviews each case.
Coming soon: more technical features for clinicians chatting with Tara within the clinicians’ portal. See our guide to genetic testing and counselling for referring clinicians.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tara a real person?
No. Tara is an AI assistant. It works alongside our genetic counsellors and clinical team, who make every clinical decision. If you’d rather talk to a person at any point, just ask and Tara will hand you over to our team.
Can Tara tell me which test is right for me?
No. Tara can explain what each of our tests covers, how the at-home kit works and how long results take, but it won’t recommend one test over another. If you’d like help choosing, Tara will connect you with our team.
Can Tara explain my results or my personal risk?
No. Tara gives general information about genetics and testing. It doesn’t interpret results, work out your personal or family risk, or give medical advice about a specific condition. Those conversations happen with a genetic counsellor or your doctor.
Can I skip the pre-test information?
You can move through it at your own pace. At each step you can say “I understand”, ask a question, or skip ahead to consent. The consent step itself is never skipped. You always read and confirm it yourself.
Why does Tara ask about my medical and family history?
Your answers help our team see whether you should talk with a genetic counsellor before your sample goes to the lab. If something in your history needs a closer look, our team will review it and get in touch. It doesn’t mean anything is wrong. It just means a person will check before your test goes ahead.
What happens to my conversations with Tara?
All conversations with Tara are stored securely. If you chat with Tara before buying a test, our team may review the conversation to check the quality of Tara’s answers. If you’ve bought a test, your conversation becomes part of your health record with Genotype Health, so our clinical team can see what you’ve already discussed when they review your order and prepare for any consultation. Read more about how we protect your genetic data.
Are my conversations used to train Tara?
Your conversations aren’t used to train Tara automatically. Our clinical team reads them as part of caring for you, and if they notice something Tara got wrong or could explain better, we use that to correct mistakes and improve Tara.
What if Tara gets something wrong?
Tara is new, and it won’t always get things right. If something Tara says doesn’t seem right, or you’re unsure about anything, please ask to speak with our team. We’d also love your feedback, because it helps us make Tara better for everyone.
When can I chat with Tara?
Any time. Tara is on our website, so you can ask questions at any time of day, from home, without waiting for an appointment.
Does chatting with Tara cost anything?
No. Chatting with Tara is free.
What languages does Tara support?
For now, Tara is available in English only. We hope to add more languages in the future.
Say hello to Tara
Tara is here to make genetic testing easier to understand, so you can make choices that feel right for you and your family. You’ll find Tara on our website, ready to answer your questions. And whenever you’d like to talk to a person, our team is here too.
We’re excited to share Tara with you, and to keep improving it with your help. Thank you for being part of the start of this journey.
