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Direct-To-Consumer Genetics Testing Makes a Splash In Boston
eldavojohn writes "MIT's Technology Review has the scoop on the first annual Consumer Genetics Show starting today in Boston and it looks like the rage these days is genetic testing sans the middle-man physician. And it's getting more prevalent and more available: 'A number of companies offering direct-to-consumer genetic testing have cropped up in the past two years to capitalize on these advances, from 23andMe and Navigenics, which offer genome-wide scans to identify specific disease-linked genetic variations, to Knome, which offers whole-genome sequencing to the wealthy. Any doubts that personal genomics is making its way into the mainstream can be assuaged with a look at Interleukin genetics, a startup that sells genetic tests for heart-disease risk, B vitamin metabolism, and other factors through Amway, the direct-sales company.' Over-the-counter genetic tests may be much closer than you think. The article raises concerns that this information will be misused/misinterpreted or even provide a false sense of security. We've discussed some states prohibiting this last year."
Considering the statistical prevalence of botched tests in the controlled laboratory environment of mainstream medicine, I shudder to think how many "wrong" results we will see when a pyramid company like Amway starts offering tests direct-to-consumer.
If libertarians are so opposed to effective government, why don't they all move to Somalia?
Have your own DNA sequence would be cool and everything, but it's not everything. Epigenetic changes have a massive impact on gene expression, they're not included in the sequence and they're heritable. Of course, there are lots of things you can look at in the sequence, but you could miss a lot by getting too hung up on just the sequence.
Wonder how long it will take before people start finding ways to criminally abuse these kits, by say testing someone else without their knowledge or consent then blackmailing them to not reveal their predisposition to illness to their health insurer, or in the case of a celebrity the media?
Slavery is the legal fiction that a person is property; A Corporation is the legal fiction that property is a person.
People do not possibly comprehend the accuracy required for genetics tests to have any validity, of which even current companies aren't the best at. By using a company like Amway, all that you're going to get is very rough probabilities, exactly the opposite of what consumers want, but what they'll be left with, since they naturally cut corners and need to do a CYA job, leaving that as the net result.
The only hope I can come of with this nonsense is that people begin realizing the NEED for accuracy on scales beyond you can imagine as a result of the useless of genetics tests when you don't do them right.
Note: I've already done these tests (NOT Amway, of course), which is why I know what I'm talking about here.
I actually had a startup doing direct to consumer (DTC) genetic testing for a mutation that gave resistance/immunity to HIV. For many reasons, we aren't around anymore, but the reasons included regulatory changes, a rapidly changing market, and ethics. I now feel it's morally wrong to offer these tests to consumers who have no idea how to interpret them and what they mean; at least genetic counseling should be offered with the test. Someone should not make life altering decisions without the consultation of someone trained in the area. For example, suppose someone gets a BRCA 1/2 test, which tests for predisposition to breast cancer. Suppose 60% of those with the BRCA mutation get breast cancer (don't quote me on that figure, but it's in that range). Many women may then decide to get a mastectomy, however, the actual likelihood is much lower than 60% (see Bayes Theorem). Without consultation, they may make a terrible choice, and unfortunately many doctors are not trained in genetics yet. I've since become involved with a doctor in the Connecticut/New York area who has started a practice centered on genetics. I'm now convinced that this is the only way to go, and that direct to consumer tests are simply a passing phase. 23andme and Navigenics even say that their tests are not medically useful. I have a blog devoted to this topic if anyone is interested: http://www.thinkgene.com/ and the doctor at that practice also has a blog: http://thegenesherpa.blogspot.com/ In fact, if anyone wants a free genetic test that's better than the one offered by 23andme and Navigenics, and you happen to be in the New Jersey area, Coriell is giving them away (http://www.thinkgene.com/i-spit-at-coriell), and this is where the future of genetics is going.