American College of Medical Genetics makes genetic testing recommendations in new policy statementApril 25, 2008What the public needs to know about direct-to-consumer genetic tests Consumers are increasingly being marketed a broad range of genetic tests. Paternity tests at the drugstore-.Personal genome mapping-Gene tests to predict future baldness. With ongoing genetic discoveries and technology improvements, more genetic tests are available than ever before and along with greater availability has come the expansion of direct-to-consumer (DTC) testing. How can consumers make informed decisions about genetic tests" To help address some of the important questions raised about DTC genetic testing, the American College of Medical Genetics has developed the ACMG 2008 Policy Statement on Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing. "Just because a genetic test exists, it does not mean it is right for everyone or even right for anyone", says Michael S. Watson, PhD, FACMG, executive director of the American College of Medical Genetics. "Medical genetic counseling, testing and treatments offer tremendous possibilities for the future of health care and genetic medicine will continue to play an increasing role in the timely prevention, diagnosis and treatment of genetic disorders but as in any new and changing field, there is a lot of misinformation out there and more research to be done. Consumers need to be cautious and always involve their healthcare provider, and in some cases a medical geneticist or genetic counselor, in their decisions about genetic testing."
Joe Leigh Simpson, MD, FACMG, president of the American College of Medical Genetics says, "Decisions based on genetics are very personal and can be difficult, emotional, costly and life-changing; they are not to be undertaken lightly. The causes of many conditions are complex and multifactorial including a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors. The potential benefits to mankind are tremendous but there are a great many questions still to be answered and more research to be done to better understand how genetics affects many conditions." The ACMG 2008 Policy Statement on Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing includes 5 minimum requirements for any genetic testing protocol. Visit www.acmg.net for the complete ACMG Policy Statement. The five recommendations include: 1. A knowledgeable health professional should be involved in the process of ordering and interpreting a genetic test. 2. The consumer should be fully informed regarding what the test can and cannot say about his or her health. 3. The scientific evidence on which a test is based should be clearly stated. 4. The clinical testing laboratory must be accredited by CLIA, the State and/or other applicable accrediting agencies. 5. Privacy concerns must be addressed. "Geneticists and genetic counselors are the 'professional guides to the human genome' and can help patients make informed decisions about choices related to genetic testing and provide invaluable support and guidance in interpreting test results in light of personal and family history. This is not an area where people should really 'go it alone,'" concluded Dr. Watson American College of Medical Genetics | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Related Genetic Testing Current Events and Genetic Testing News Articles Clue to genetic cause of fatal birth defect A novel enzyme may play a major role in anencephaly, offering hope for a genetic test or even therapy for the rare fatal birth defect in which the brain fails to develop, according to a study from researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine. Researchers Evaluate Cost-Effectiveness of Genetic Screening to Guide Initial HIV Treatment A major study from a team of researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College and Massachusetts General Hospital has found that a recent change to HIV-treatment guidelines recommending genetic screening is cost-effective under certain conditions. New results help predict treatment response in colorectal cancer Genetic testing can identify a group of patients with advanced colorectal cancer who are likely to survive on average twice as long if treated with the drug cetuximab, late breaking results show. Risk of breast cancer mutations underestimated for Asian women, Stanford study shows Oncologist Allison Kurian, MD, and her colleagues at the Stanford University School of Medicine were perplexed. Computer models designed to identify women who might have dangerous genetic mutations that increase their risk of breast and ovarian cancer worked well for white women. But they seemed to be less reliable for another ethnic group. Genetic testing? Frequently, autopsy becomes the principal diagnostic tool when macro and microscopic analyses provide a conclusive diagnosis in cardiomyopathies. No need for gene screens in breast cancer families Research reported today should provide relief to women who are worried after a relative's breast cancer diagnosis. The study in the open access journal BMC Cancer shows that a family history of breast cancer does not give a useful indication of the likelihood that a woman will develop it herself at an early age. Predicting the risk of a common fungal infection after stem cell transplantation In silico genetic analysis in mice has led to the discovery of a gene affecting susceptibility to a severe fungal infection in transplant recipients. Inherited melanoma risk: What you do know does help you When people know the results of genetic tests confirming they have inherited an increased risk of developing melanoma, they follow skin cancer screening recommendations more proactively-much like those who have already been diagnosed with the potentially deadly disease. UNC medical geneticist cautions against rushing into genetic testing Just because scientific advances now allow individuals to learn their genetic make-up doesn't mean they should rush into genetic testing in hopes of making revolutionary improvements to their health, cautions a geneticist and practicing physician at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Study finds it pays to be heart smart if considering hormone therapy A research study has found that a simple blood test may indicate whether post-menopausal hormone therapies present an elevated risk of a heart attack. More Genetic Testing Current Events and Genetic Testing News Articles |
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