The Genetic Gold Rush Is On: New Direct To Consumer Genetic Tests Offer Informat

February 20, 2008

The Genetic Gold Rush Is On: New Direct To Consumer Genetic Tests

Offer Information But Also Risks

" The increasing popularity of direct-to-consumer genetic tests to

determine if you have a gene associated with a particular disease or

medical condition is not without its risks, " says Caroline Lieber,

M.S., and Director of the Joan Marks Graduate Program in Human

Genetics at Lawrence College (the first and still largest such

program in the country and internationally). A genetic counselor

herself, Lieber points out that it's important to be careful because

these tests can be confusing and not necessarily reliable.

Advances in human genetics are occurring so rapidly that even a

primary-care physician with a basic background in genetics would have

trouble keeping up with developments in gene therapy and genetic

testing. There is a tremendous amount of learning needed to properly

understand the ramifications of tests to detect multiple markers for

a wide range of diseases. Prices vary for these kits depending on the

number of markers researched as does the quality of results analyzed.

It was announced recently (February 9, 2007) that a personal genome

readout is currently available for $350,000 with plans underway by a

bioscience lab on the west coast to try and produce an individual's

entire genome in minutes for less than $1,000. " Putting these tests

into the hands of the uninformed, or even those without the time to

thoroughly process the results, is risky, " according to Lieber.

To be most useful, a genetic counselor should be there from the

beginning, helping the patient/client decide if a test is advisable

and then helping him or her choose the next step once the results

have been discussed. The role of the genetic counselor is to help the

patient process accurate information and make sound decisions, " she

added.

Caroline Lieber is available to discuss:

-- The pitfalls and limitations of direct-to-consumer genetic tests.

-- The importance of working with a trained genetic counselor to

discuss where risk and choice converge in prenatal testing.

-- How to create a medical family tree and interpret the results.

Halstead Communications

P.O. Box 225

Katonah, NY 10536

United States

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