• About
  • Masthead
  • License Content
  • Advertise
  • Submit Press Release
  • RSS/Email List
  • Write for us
  • Contact us
2 Minute Medicine
No Result
View All Result

No products in the cart.

SUBSCRIBE
  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • AccountLog-in/out
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
2 Minute Medicine
  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • AccountLog-in/out
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
SUBSCRIBE
2 Minute Medicine
Subscribe
Home Genetics

Proposed need for regulation of direct-to-consumer genetic testing

byShirin SavliwalaandMarc Succi, MD
July 19, 2014
in Genetics
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

1. Direct to consumer genetic tests have increased in popularity due to technology, access, and affordable cost, and present both benefits and risks to the consumer. 

2. In order to mitigate risks and still offer consumers the potential advantages direct to consumer genetic tests may provide, this source study suggests the United States should impose stricter regulations to ensure patients’ safety. 

Evidence Rating Level: 4 (Below Average) 

Study Rundown: Direct to consumer (DTC) genetic tests have increased in popularity as access, low cost, and technology have allowed consumers to directly order test kits from the internet. Proponents of DTC testing have cited multiple benefits of DTC genetic testing, including the rights of individuals to access their own personal genetic information, which gives individuals the ability to make proactive, preventative lifestyle changes. Additionally, since consumers are not required to involve a physician, genetic test results do not become part of an individual’s medical record and a person’s genetic information remains private and secure, less vulnerable to employers or insurers.

Despite the potential benefits of DTC genetic testing, scholars have questioned whether DTC testing implicates problematic legal or ethical issues. Such arguments are highlighted in this Washington University report. DTC genetic tests may be prone to more mix-ups of individuals’ DNA and can technically be administered without direct consent from the individual whose DNA is being tested. Additionally, different DTC genetic testing companies have reached different conclusions in terms of assessing relative disease risks, which can confuse consumers and sheds light as to possible inaccuracies testing may have. Most problematic, individuals may potentially interpret results incorrectly and even make harmful medical decisions based on received results.

The United States federal government’s current regulation of DTC genetic testing has been done by the Food and Drug Administration along with other government committees and agencies, but no single regulatory agency has clear, explicit authority over the accuracy, design, or application of DTC genetic tests. Some suggest that United States can follow other countries’ regulatory approaches and require genetic counseling following testing results and standardized laboratory requirements for all DTC genetic testing companies to ensure consumers’ safety.

Click to read the article in Washington University Global Studies Law Review

RELATED REPORTS

The 2 Minute Medicine Podcast Episode 6

Combined genetic testing of cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias increases diagnostic yield to inform patient management

#VisualAbstract: Whole-genome sequencing changes clinical management in significant number of critically ill infants

Relevant Reading: Direct-to-Consumer Genetic testing: A Comprehensive View

More from this author: Medical liability system presents hurdles to injured patients, Report suggests mobile health applications may pose privacy and safety risks

Image: PD

©2012-2014 2minutemedicine.com. All rights reserved. No works may be reproduced without expressed written consent from 2minutemedicine.com. Disclaimer: We present factual information directly from peer reviewed medical journals. No post should be construed as medical advice and is not intended as such by the authors, editors, staff or by 2minutemedicine.com. PLEASE SEE A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IN YOUR AREA IF YOU SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE OF ANY SORT.  

Tags: genetic testingprivacy
Previous Post

Dexamethasone effective as initial therapy for immune thrombocytopenic purpura [Classics Series]

Next Post

Analysis identifies radiology workflow bottlenecks in massive casualty incident

RelatedReports

2MM Podcast

The 2 Minute Medicine Podcast Episode 6

January 13, 2023
Non-invasive prenatal testing linked to decreased diagnostic testing
Cardiology

Combined genetic testing of cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias increases diagnostic yield to inform patient management

August 20, 2022
#VisualAbstract: Only one quarter of benzodiazepine prescriptions in youth are for approved indication
StudyGraphics

#VisualAbstract: Whole-genome sequencing changes clinical management in significant number of critically ill infants

June 10, 2022
Pediatric palliative care outcome measures often miss quality of life
Chronic Disease

Psychological experiment suggests genetic testing may influence neonatologists’ clinical decision-making

February 16, 2022
Next Post
Mortality after trauma increasingly due to preexisting conditions

Analysis identifies radiology workflow bottlenecks in massive casualty incident

Retinopathy of prematurity associated with nonvisual impairment in childhood

Functional decline in children with retinoblastoma greater than expected

Video-based behavioral intervention benefits clinical skin examinations

Dermatologic screening demands may exceed recommended follow-up frequencies

License Our Award-Winning Physician-Written Medical News and Visual Abstracts

2 Minute Medicine is the leading authoritative medical news licensing service, and the only with reports written by practicing doctors.

LICENSE CONTENT

2MM+ Premium Access

No ads & unlimited access to all current reports, over 9000 searchable archived reports, visual abstracts, Weekly Rewinds, and the online edition of The Classics Series™ textbook.

Subscription Options
2 Minute Medicine

2 Minute Medicine® is an award winning, physician-run, expert medical media company. Our content is curated, written and edited by practicing health professionals who have clinical and scientific expertise in their field of reporting. Our editorial management team is comprised of highly-trained MD physicians. Join numerous brands, companies, and hospitals who trust our licensed content.

Recent Reports

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with worse postoperative outcomes
  • Empagliflozin use is associated with slower progression of chronic kidney disease
  • Diagnostic tool may help identify cerebral palsy regardless of encephalopathy features
License Content
Terms of Use | Disclaimer
Cookie Policy
Privacy Statement (EU)
Disclaimer

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.

  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • The Scan
  • Wellness
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • Account
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.

Want more physician-written
medical news?

Join over 10 million yearly readers and numerous companies. For healthcare professionals
and the public.

Subscribe for free today!

Subscription options