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Patients see potential benefits from direct-to-consumer genetictesting, but are also concerned about how the test results will beused, and generally are unwilling to pay more than $10 or $20 forthem, according to focus groups conducted by researchers at LoyolaUniversity Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. Findings by first author Katherine Wasson, PhD, MPH, and colleaguesare published in the American Journal of Bioethics Primary Research . Wasson, an assistant professor in Loyola's Neiswanger Institutefor Bioethics and Health Policy, is an expert on the ethics ofdirect-to-consumer genetics tests. More than a dozen companies, including 23andMe, deCODE Genetics andNavigenics, test consumers' genomes for single-gene disorders suchas cystic fibrosis; for risks of developing complex disordersinvolving multiple genes, such as cancer , heart disease and diabetes; for sensitivities to drugs such as Coumadin; and fortraits such as hair color, eye color and baldness . Costs range from roughly $100 to $1,500. Consumers can orderthese tests directly and receive results without the involvement ofa qualified health-care professional, such as a geneticist orgenetic counselor. Wasson and colleagues conducted four focus groups with a total of29 adult primary-care patients recruited from the waiting rooms ofLoyola University Medical Center. After hearing an overview ofdirect-to-consumer genetic testing, participants were asked theirthoughts and opinions. Each focus group lasted 1 to 2 hours.Sessions were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Researchers readand analyzed the transcripts line-by-line and word-by-word forthemes that emerged from the data. Direct-to-consumer genetic tests are not covered by insurancecompanies. Many participants were willing to pay in the $10 to $20range (the equivalent of a co-pay). A few were willing to pay $100to $400. "This situation could exacerbate inequalities in thehealth-care system, with those having greater financial resourcesbeing able to access this elective health-related information whilethose with fewer resources are unable to pay for it," researcherswrote. Participants generally expressed willingness to test theirchildren, including adopted and foster children. They said testingfor disease risks would provide helpful information for the future.But these views are contrary to professional and ethicalguidelines, which recommend testing children only if there is aneffective intervention for the disease that's being tested.Otherwise, the children should wait until adulthood and decide forthemselves. "Children could be tested without understanding its implications,and parents might take actions that are inappropriate andpotentially harmful, based on results without consulting aqualified health professional," researchers wrote. Participants gave four main reasons why they might want to getdirect-to-consumer genetic tests: to gain information, seekprevention, seek interventions or help others. One participantsaid: "I do have a strong family history of cancer, diabetes and my own personal history of cancer, so just to know down theline if it can come back or if something else could occur or if Icould pass it on to my kids, I would like to know that." Participants also had four main concerns about genetic testing: Arethe tests accurate? Who will interpret them? Should results beshared with consumers' physicians and entered in medical records?And do the tests raise ethical issues such as risks to privacy andconfidentiality? Additional References Citations. I am an expert from audio-djequipment.com, while we provides the quality product, such as UHF Wireless Microphone , LED Moving Head Lights, 15 Inch Subwoofer Speaker,and more.
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