Skepticism, Concern Surround At-Home DNA Testing Kits

Main Category: Genetics
Also Included In: Regulatory Affairs / Drug Approvals;  Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 09 Jun 2010 - 5:00 PDT


Although companies that manufacture over-the-counter DNA testing kits hope the tests will take off, many within the medical community have expressed concerns that the kits can lead to confusion or depression over the results, the Fort Meyers News-Press reports. The kits are designed to test a person's DNA for predispositions and genetic mutations for diseases like breast or cervical cancer, which carry added risk rates of 56% to 87% and 27% to 44%, respectively.

According to the Free-Press, the issue "gained attention" in May when Walgreen and CVS halted pending sales of Pathway Genomics' home saliva testing kits after the FDA questioned the company. Genomics defended its product in a statement, saying that the company is "confident that our services are both safe and of the highest quality." The kit would have sold for about $30, and the entire process -- including lab tests -- would have cost consumers up to $250, the Free-Press reports.

Cindy Merrill, a genetic counselor at Lee Memorial Health System's Regional Cancer Center, said that an over-the-counter genetic test cannot provide patients with an understanding of the test results, or counseling on whether the test is even necessary given the patient's family history. Merrill said that a patient who uses an at-home DNA test has "none of that knowledge," adding, "They get a result back that says they're confident" of genetic mutation, but several unanswered questions remain (Gluck, Fort Meyers Free-Press, 6/5).

Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families.

© 2010 National Partnership for Women & Families. All rights reserved.

• Additional
• References
• Citations