Most People May Carry High Genetic Risk for Several Diseases: What a New Study Means

A study published on October 22, 2026, suggests that many people could be placed in a high genetic-risk group for several common conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and schizophrenia. The finding may sound alarming, but it does not mean that most people will develop those diseases. A genetic risk score estimates susceptibility; it is not a diagnosis or a prediction that illness is inevitable.

Researchers led by the University of Exeter analysed whole-genome data from two large population biobanks: 490,541 participants in UK Biobank and 414,830 in the US All of Us programme. They examined polygenic scores for 28 common conditions. These scores combine information from many genetic variants to estimate relative risk.

Study Snapshot

High Genetic Risk Is Not the Same as Having a Disease

A “top 10%” score means a person’s score is higher than that of most people in the reference group used for that particular score. It does not mean there is a 90% chance of becoming ill. The score also cannot, by itself, show when a condition might develop or how serious it could become.

The study’s authors noted that genetic variation linked to disease is common in people who may never develop the condition. Health outcomes also depend on factors such as age, family history, environment and other clinical risks. The researchers did not investigate participants’ health status, so the headline finding should not be read as a count of people who were sick.

Why Ancestry and Test Interpretation Matter

The data came from biobanks in the United Kingdom and the United States, and the researchers said many global populations remain underrepresented in genetic databases. A score developed using one population may not estimate risk equally well for another. This limits how directly the findings can be applied to people in India or other populations not adequately represented in the data.

For readers, the practical message is to avoid treating an online DNA result as a medical verdict. If a genetic report raises a concern, discuss it with a qualified doctor or genetic counsellor, who can interpret it alongside family history and other health information. Continue recommended check-ups and screening; a high or low score should not be used on its own to start, stop or change treatment.

Important Dates

Important Links

• University of Exeter — Official Research Summary
• Genome Medicine — Published Research Paper
• NIH All of Us — Explainer on Polygenic Risk Scores
• National Human Genome Research Institute — Genetic Testing FAQ