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The Commercialization of Genetic Research pp 181–194Cite as

Marketing and Fear Mongering

Time to Try Private Genetic Services?

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Abstract

Patient-paid access to commercialized genetic testing is currently available from Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc. through physicians who provide counselling, with direct billing to patients, co-payment, or with coverage by some insurance companies. Consumer interest in access to genetic tests has been heightened by news media attention, marketing, fund-raising efforts by disease-specific voluntary organizations, and the use of genetic tests in legal proceedings and in entertainment. This consumer interest in access to commercialized services is based on the perceived usefulness of the tests and frustration with current limits on access through the health care system. Additionally, some people would be willing to pay to receive greater protection of privacy through anonymous private genetic testing even if testing were available through regular health care insurance (Mehlman et al. 1996; Burgess et al. 1997). Three policy options are available: prohibition, a regulated market or an unregulated market.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Applied Ethics, University of British Columbia, Canada

    Michael M. Burgess (Chair in Biomedical Ethics)

Authors
  1. Michael M. Burgess
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Health Law Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Timothy A. Caulfield

  2. Centre for Applied Ethics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Bryn Williams-Jones

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© 1999 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Burgess, M.M. (1999). Marketing and Fear Mongering. In: Caulfield, T.A., Williams-Jones, B. (eds) The Commercialization of Genetic Research. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4713-6_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4713-6_12

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-7135-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-4713-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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