Abstract
Direct-to-consumer genetic testing continues to receive significant attention from both the popular press and policymakers. While the demand for these services has not, to date, been significant, it nevertheless seems likely that more and more individuals will be accessing DTC services. As a result, commentators have suggested that the DTC industry requires more oversight. A common rationale for policy action is that DTC services might cause undue anxiety. However, emerging evidence suggests that this is not the case. Indeed, it appears that genetic risk information has little impact on individual behavior or anxiety levels. Though more research is clearly needed, this type of research should inform the regulatory response to DTC services.
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Acknowledgments
I would like to thank Christen Rachul and Robyn Hyde-Lay for their helpful comments and Genome Alberta and AllerGen (NCE) for the funding support.
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I have no conflicts of interest to declare.
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Caulfield, T. Direct-to-consumer testing: if consumers are not anxious, why are policymakers?. Hum Genet 130, 23–25 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00439-011-0987-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00439-011-0987-8