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Genetic tests: Experts urge caution over home testing | Genetic tests: Experts urge caution over home testing |
(about 8 hours later) | |
People should not make health decisions based on genetic tests they do at home, experts have warned. | People should not make health decisions based on genetic tests they do at home, experts have warned. |
The University of Southampton team, writing in the British Medical Journal, warn results can be unreliable. | The University of Southampton team, writing in the British Medical Journal, warn results can be unreliable. |
The geneticists said the tests could be wrongly reassuring - or lead to unnecessary worry. | The geneticists said the tests could be wrongly reassuring - or lead to unnecessary worry. |
23andMe, one of the companies offering tests, said there were "many cases" where results had prompted further checks and preventative treatment. | 23andMe, one of the companies offering tests, said there were "many cases" where results had prompted further checks and preventative treatment. |
The research does not cover genetic screening offered by the NHS to people with a family history of a disease, or other risk factors. | The research does not cover genetic screening offered by the NHS to people with a family history of a disease, or other risk factors. |
Instead, it covers so-called direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests. | Instead, it covers so-called direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests. |
'Breadth over detail' | 'Breadth over detail' |
Prof Anneke Lucassen, president of the British Society for Genetic Medicine and a consultant in clinical genetics at University Hospital Southampton led the research. | |
She said: "Genetic tests sold online and in shops should absolutely not be used to inform health decisions without further scrutiny. | |
"Finding a 'health risk' via these tests often does not mean a person will go on to develop the health problem in question, while 'reassuring' results might be unreliable." | "Finding a 'health risk' via these tests often does not mean a person will go on to develop the health problem in question, while 'reassuring' results might be unreliable." |
Prof Lucassen described seeing patients whose tests wrongly indicated they had faulty genes suggesting a high risk of certain cancers. | Prof Lucassen described seeing patients whose tests wrongly indicated they had faulty genes suggesting a high risk of certain cancers. |
She said she understood people might be drawn to the tests in the hope of getting clear information about their future health. | She said she understood people might be drawn to the tests in the hope of getting clear information about their future health. |
But the BMJ paper warns genetic tests often prioritise "breadth over detail", citing a 23andMe test that checks for a few variants of Brca1 and 2, linked to breast and ovarian cancer risk, when there are actually thousands. | But the BMJ paper warns genetic tests often prioritise "breadth over detail", citing a 23andMe test that checks for a few variants of Brca1 and 2, linked to breast and ovarian cancer risk, when there are actually thousands. |
A 23andMe spokesman said its processes were "extremely accurate" and it spelt out exactly what its Brca test looked for. | A 23andMe spokesman said its processes were "extremely accurate" and it spelt out exactly what its Brca test looked for. |
"We are very clear with customers that we test only for certain genetic variants," he said. | "We are very clear with customers that we test only for certain genetic variants," he said. |
"As far as the variants we are testing for, they are some of the most well studied and associated with extremely high risk." | "As far as the variants we are testing for, they are some of the most well studied and associated with extremely high risk." |
"23andMe results can and do facilitate valuable conversations with healthcare providers. | "23andMe results can and do facilitate valuable conversations with healthcare providers. |
"In fact, we've had many cases where customers have taken a 23andMe result to their doctors, been prescribed confirmatory testing and have had preventative treatment as a result." | "In fact, we've had many cases where customers have taken a 23andMe result to their doctors, been prescribed confirmatory testing and have had preventative treatment as a result." |
But Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard, who chairs the Royal College of GPs, said: "Genetic testing shouldn't simply be done to satisfy a patient's curiosity about their health, as the results could have very real implications. | But Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard, who chairs the Royal College of GPs, said: "Genetic testing shouldn't simply be done to satisfy a patient's curiosity about their health, as the results could have very real implications. |
"Our members have reported patients coming to see them with the results of commercial genetic tests, asking for them to be interpreted - and some commercial companies actually advise this instead of providing the necessary advice and feedback themselves. | "Our members have reported patients coming to see them with the results of commercial genetic tests, asking for them to be interpreted - and some commercial companies actually advise this instead of providing the necessary advice and feedback themselves. |
"This is not a good use of our time or NHS resources and should be the direct responsibility of the companies that are being paid to perform the tests." | "This is not a good use of our time or NHS resources and should be the direct responsibility of the companies that are being paid to perform the tests." |
Dr Helen Wallace, director of GeneWatch UK, said: "We recommend that you do not buy these tests, which are at best a waste of money. | Dr Helen Wallace, director of GeneWatch UK, said: "We recommend that you do not buy these tests, which are at best a waste of money. |
"Handing your DNA to a private company also raises privacy concerns for you and members of your family." | "Handing your DNA to a private company also raises privacy concerns for you and members of your family." |
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