title: Genetic horoscopes: is it all in the genes? Points for regulatory control of direct-to-consumer genetic testing.
abstract: The development of tests for genetic susceptibility to common complex diseases has raised concerns. These concerns relate to evaluation of the scientific and clinical validity and utility of the tests, quality assurance of laboratories and testing services, advice and protection for the consumer and the appropriate regulatory and policy response. How these concerns are interpreted and addressed is an ongoing debate. If the possibility of using the discoveries from genomic science to improve health is to be realised without losing public confidence, then improvements in the evaluation and mechanisms for control of supply of tests may be as important as the science itself.
authors.affiliation: Public and Professional Policy Committee of the European Society of Human Genetics, Vienna, Austria. christine.patch@gstt.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Patch
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sequeiros
authors.forename: Martina C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Cornel
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D003254:Consumer Advocacy; D005796:Genes; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D030661:Genetic Privacy; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008389:Marketing of Health Services; D011786:Quality Control; D015203:Reproducibility of Results