Gene test crack-down
Wednesday August 4th, 2010
A crackdown on private gene test labs was announced in the UK today.
The Human Genetics Commission has set out principles that companies should follow when they advertise tests or testing kits.
Companies will be expected to truthful in marketing their products - and ensure that claims are backed by scientific evidence.
They will also have to offer counselling when testing for serious diseases such as Huntington's or breast cancer.
Commissioner Dr Frances Flinter said: "Direct-to-consumer tests covering everything from hereditary illnesses to ancestry research are now available over the internet from companies in the USA and Europe.
"Some tests can cause considerable surprise or concern to those taking them – or give false reassurance. Some are of doubtful value, to say the least. To cover this international market we need a set of ‘off the shelf’ principles that can be used everywhere."
The proposals won backing from the British government - but it was not clear how they could be enforced.
Health minister Anne Milton said: "I am pleased that the UK’s Human Genetics Commission is showing much-needed leadership in cracking down on this.
“These principles are a timely, appropriate and proportionate response to the growth in the direct-to-consumer genetic testing industry and I hope they bring much needed reassurance to patients.”
Tags: Brain & Neurology | Genetics | UK News
Printer friendly page