Direct-to-consumer genetic tests: Beyond medical regulation?

David Magnus, Mildred K. Cho, Robert Cook-Deegan

Research output: Contribution to journalComment/debatepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

The availability of personalized genomic tests, ordered directly by consumers, is rapidly growing. These tests are unlike other genetic or biochemical tests in the sheer amount of data they provide, but interpretation of these genome-wide analyses for health remains uncertain because of the lack of information about environmental and other factors, and because for the vast majority of genetic loci the associations with disease are weak. Although these tests could provide value to customers by offering tools for social networking or genealogy, there are questions about whether and how to regulate these tests and about the extent to which they provide medical information.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbergm17
JournalGenome Medicine
Volume1
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2 2009
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Genetics(clinical)

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