Which? Warns Consumers Against Costly Genetic Tests

Main Category: Genetics
Article Date: 08 Jul 2009 - 5:00 PDT

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As the Lords Science Committee publishes its report on genomic medicine, Which? scientific policy adviser, Dr Rob Reid, says:

"It has to be made clear to consumers that these tests are no more useful in predicting disease than knowledge of their family history and lifestyle. People could end up spending a lot of money on information* that is currently of little medical use."

Notes

*Genetic susceptibility tests sold direct to the consumer.

Which? welcomes the publication of the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee's wide ranging and detailed report on Genomic Medicine.

In particular Which? is delighted that the report acknowledges the potential for consumer detriment caused by direct-to-consumer genetic susceptibility testing.

Which? supports the recommendations that a voluntary code for the industry be established and that the UK government should support tougher classification of the tests at EU level.

Peer reviewed scientific research has demonstrated that there is currently not enough evidence to show that genetic susceptibility tests are useful in measuring genetic risk for common diseases.

However, Which? research found that 86% of all adults asked said they would take or consider taking further action if a genetic susceptibility test suggested they were more likely to develop a disease.

Despite these findings there is currently little regulation of the sale of genetic susceptibility tests direct-to-the-consumer.

Source
Which?