Genetic tests you can order over the Internet to determine a predisposition to cancer or genetic components for infertility without approval from doctors or the risk of fallout from filing an insurance claim?
Those are the promises being made by a growing and largely unregulated phenomenon of direct-to-customer (DTC) genetic tests, according to this WashingtonPost.com article.
The article goes on to state:
Spawned by a burgeoning interest in self-care fueled by the Web and the completion in 2003 of the federal Human Genome Project, home testing enables users to "be proactive in managing their care" from the privacy of their homes, according to San Francisco-based DNA Direct, a leading purveyor of DTC genetic tests. An article last month in Good Housekeeping pronounced the process "as simple as ordering takeout."
The American College of Medical Genetics advises the public to avoid home tests and called them "potentially harmful," citing the possibility of "inappropriate test utilization, mininterpretation, and other adverse consequences."
Read the entire article here.
Know More about health and drug options at ThePharmVoice.com.
For the record, it is important to note that DNA Direct's genetic testing services are provided by physicians, geneticists, and genetic counselors. All tests are ordered by DNA Direct's medical director. Testing for hereditary breast cancer and genetic causes of infertility require screening, clinical intakes, and test results counseling by certified genetic counselors. This is very similar to the process one would receive at most medical centers.
It is not possible to have testing through DNA Direct without working with our clincal staff. It is possible, however, to have anonymous testing.
Lisa Lee
Director of Content, DNA Direct
talk.dnadirect.com
www.dnadirect.com
Posted by: Lisa Lee | June 19, 2006 3:17 PM | Permalink to Comment