Genetic Testing: DNA Tests Go Direct To Consumer?

pharmaceutical, sales, recruiter, pharmaceutical, genetic, testing, DNA

Here’s a fascinating article and commentary about the current situation and future possibilities of personal genetic testing:   specifically about companies like 23andMe, and generally about ethics, effectiveness, and who should be in charge.  There’s a strong sentiment for keeping DNA testing in the hands of medical professionals to avoid unreliable results and mass hysteria, but there’s an equally compelling argument for educating the consumer/patient with as much information as possible, creating more room for self-advocacy.

My personal opinion:  It’s a great business opportunity to provide personal genetic testing to these individuals who are interested in it.  I know I’m interested in it.  I want access to any test that’s available and I can afford without insurance companies or government acting as gatekeeper.  (There’s the privacy factor, too.)  I don’t think that one test (either a self-test by a consumer or a lab-run test) is infallible, so I think that questionable results would warrant further investigation with a laboratory team–which means that I don’t think it’s an encroachment on medical diagnostics or the pharmaceutical field.  The average consumer isn’t capable of making their own diagnosis based on one of those tests, but I do think that any education about DNA testing and what it might offer us in the future is a valuable thing.

What do you think?

Article courtesy of  Peggy McKee - Owner / Senior Recruiter at the nationally
recognized medical and medical sales recruiting team of PHC Consulting.
© Copyright 2008 PHC Consulting | All rights reserved