Direct-to-consumer genetic testing: where and how does genetic counseling fit?. (May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Middleton, Anna; Mendes, Álvaro; Benjamin, Caroline M; Howard, Heidi Carmen
• Is Part Of: Personalized medicine. Volume 14:Number 3(2017)
• Page Start: 249
• Page End: 257
• Publication Date: 2017-05
• Subjects: CHIP ME -- connecting science -- direct-to-consumer -- DTCGT -- genetic counseling -- genetic test -- genomics -- website; Pharmacogenomics -- Periodicals; Pharmacogenetics -- Periodicals; 615.19
• DOI: 10.2217/pme-2017-0001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-0541

Abstract

Direct-to-consumer genetic testing for disease ranges from well-validated diagnostic and predictive tests to 'research' results conferring increased risks. While being targeted at public curious about their health, they are also marketed for use in reproductive decision-making or management of disease. By virtue of being 'direct-to-consumer' much of this testing bypasses traditional healthcare systems. We argue that direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies should make genetic counseling available, pre- as well as post-test. While we do not advocate that mandatory genetic counseling should gate-keep access to direct-to-consumer genetic testing, if the testing process has the potential to cause psychological distress, then companies have a responsibility to provide support and should not rely on traditional healthcare systems to pick up the pieces. A video abstract is available for this article via thislink .