San Diego's Scripps Translational Science Institute announced Thursday it will carry out a 20-year study, the first one of its kind, to establish whether people undergoing genetic testing change their behavior.

The research will enroll about 10,000 people aged 18 or more, who will receive a scan of their genome, as well as an analysis of their genetic possibilities of developing over 20 health conditions which may be altered by factors related to lifestyle. The diseases include diabetes, obesity, heart attack and some forms of cancer. The study, which will evaluate behavioral changes over a period of 20 years, is expected to assess if personal genetic testing leads to people eating better, doing more exercise or quitting smoking. The team of researchers will look on a regular basis for negative and positive results from the genetic information.

According to lead researcher Eric J. Topol, director of the Scripps Translational Science Institute in La Jolla, Calif., genetics screening and analysis will cost the 10,000-participant study an estimated $2,000 per individual.

People involved in the study will be surveyed not only on the lifestyle impact of gene testing, but also on the health-related decisions they reach after getting personal DNA data.

"There has been a lot of conjecture about the potential benefits to individuals and how they may change their behaviors" after being told the test results, asserted Kathy Hudson, director of the Genetics and Public Policy Center at Johns Hopkins University.