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Genetic testing - a toy to satisfy patient curiosity

Do it only if there's a good clinical reason as per doctor's recommendation

17-Oct-2019

Key points from article :

Experts warn not to make health decisions based on home genetic tests.

Results are unreliable, can wrongly reassure or lead to unnecessary worry.

Also raises privacy concerns for the person and family members.

GeneWatch UK recommends not to buy these tests calling them a waste of money.

The study was published in the British Medical Journal.

Mentioned in this article:

Click on resource name for more details.

23andMe

Home DNA testing kit.

Anneke Lucassen

Professor of Clinical Genetics within Medicine at the University of Southampton.

Helen Stokes-Lampard

Chairman at Royal College of General Practitioners

Helen Wallace

Director of GeneWatch UK, a not-for-profit organisation

The BMJ

Publisher of more than 70 medical and allied science journals

University of Southampton

Public research university for UK and international students

Topics mentioned on this page:
DNA Testing