Schleckser's Direct-To-Consumer Genetic Testing

The second concerning issue began after the completion of the thirteen-year long Human Genome Project (Schleckser). This project lead people to become curious about what genetic codes their DNA entails. Curiosity leads to the introduction of Direct-to-Consumer genetic testing, which involves a consumer, to perform their test from home and receive results at home. The concerning issue involves pure DTC genetic testing which eliminates a physician completely from testing and involves consumers to decide where and when they want to get tested, send their samples off and receive their results all from home (Schleckser). One of the only pure DTC tests that can be used without the discretion of a physician is 23andMe. 23andMe was labeled the “invention of the year” in 2008

By the company putting the results in a user friendly format the company has received positive feedback regarding test results. The company performed a study including one thousand forty-six consumers. The consumers were asked to analyze two sets of test results and record their interpretations of them. From this ninety percent of the consumers answered the questions regarding the test results correctly (Schleckser). Meaning that consumers of 23andMe should be able to interpret their test results without the help of a physician. Another issue that people believe could happen without the counseling of a physician is consumers taking rash action in response to their test results. However, evidence shows that people do not act out in rash behavior from viewing their test results because they already understand that the results are probabilistic and do not determine that they will develop that disorder (Schleckser). Another similar issue is a concern among people that the genetic testing will cause psychological harm. A review in 2010 said that “no evidence of any unintended detrimental effects on motivation or mood (Schleckser)”. Recent studies did indicate that