Direct to Consumer Testing

1. Direct to Consumer Testing Issues

2. Types of tests being sold • Diagnostic tests – identify specific conditions • Carrier testing - identify those who carry a mutation that if present in two copies causes a genetic disorder. • Ancestry Testing – ethnic background. For educational purposes but not medical

3. Types of tests being sold • Predisposition testing – looks for genetic risk markers associated with health conditions - looks for markers that do not cause disease but may increase risk – may guide medical decisions and lifestyle choices • Medical sensitivity testing – may help with dose adjustment

4. Nutrigenomics • Nutrigenomics examines how genetic and cellular processes relate to nutrition and health, including how people with different genetic variants respond to alternative dietary conditions and how diet can switch genes on or off. • Personalized diets based on genomics- we are now aware of about 20 genes that that have polymorphisms that appear to confer a significant disadvantage, which may be overcome with dietary modification. There are more but it is these that are being used by companies in the US and elsewhere to sell dietary and lifestyle advice based on gene-testing.

5. Problems • May not have adequate scientific support – limited clinical validation - SNPs vary by which each company analyzes • May be easily accessible but no health care professional may be involved in interpretation • Even if legitimate may be difficult for layperson to interpret • May have implications not only for the person who has the testing but also may affect family members

6. Is oversight Needed It may be Important to regulate both the accessibility and the marketing of genetic tests GAO-10-847T http://www.gao.gov/search?q=GAO-06-977T&Submit=Search

7. Advertising • Companies market through print, television. and internet advertising • Increases public awareness but does this reach the appropriate individuals i.e. those at risk? • Does it accurately disclose the limitations of the testing results provided?

8. Questions • What will the testing tell the individual? • How could this affect insurance? • Will the information be kept private? • Will the results be misleading? • Will consumers be deceived about their health? • Should consumers have access to these test kits even with some guidance?

9. What Should Consumers Consider • Is the lab CLIA certified? • Is discussion with a genetic counselor available? Is this included in the price? • Will the information be useful – can I act on it to improve my health?

10. Advantages • Less expensive • Privacy – Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) – prevents discrimination so consumers can purchase health insurance and will not increase premiums, will not affect employment • Public awareness • Education and empowerment – personalized medicine

11. Disadvantages • Misinterpretation – false security, or overemphasis leading to stress and anxiety • Poor Decision Making –due to misinterpretation of results • Inaccurate or Unsubstantiated Results –may not be based on peer reviewed material and may not have been replicated • Poor Regulation – can receive different results from different companies, interpretation may be very different as knowledge grows • Lack of Counseling • Privacy-encryption, bankruptcy

12. Disadvantages • GINA provides no protection for other types of insurance – life, disability, long term care • Other family members may be affected if the results are not kept private

13. Where Can I Find DTC Services • http://www.dnapolicy.org/resources/DTCcompanieslist.pdf

14. ConclusionsTests can be interesting and may be educational BUT • What is their medical value? • Is the data secure? • DTC sale is unregulated, uncertain and undefined