State of play in direct-to-consumer genetic testing for lifestyle-related diseases: market, marketing content, user experiences and regulation
| Autor: | Paula Saukko |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2013 |
| Předmět: |
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Health Behavior Conference on ‘Future food and health’ Medicine (miscellaneous) Nutrigenetics Scientific evidence Direct-to-consumer genetic testing 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine State (polity) Medicine Humans Genetic Predisposition to Disease 030212 general & internal medicine Risks and benefits Genetic Testing Marketing Confusion Life Style Genetic testing media_common Marketing of Health Services 0303 health sciences Internet Nutrition and Dietetics medicine.diagnostic_test business.industry 030305 genetics & heredity Community Participation Advertising Online advertising 3. Good health Policy Symposium II: Diet–gene interactions implications for future diets and health Worry medicine.symptom business |
| Zdroj: | The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society |
| ISSN: | 1475-2719 |
| Popis: | Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests have aroused controversy. Critics have argued many of the tests are not backed by scientific evidence, misguide their customers and should be regulated more stringently. Proponents suggest that finding out genetic susceptibilities for diseases could encourage healthier behaviours and makes the results of genetics research available to the public. This paper reviews the state of play in DTC genetic testing, focusing on tests identifying susceptibilities for lifestyle-related diseases. It will start with mapping the market for the tests. The paper will review (1) research on the content of the online marketing of DTC tests, (2) studies on the effects of DTC genetic tests on customers and (3) academic and policy proposals on how to regulate the tests. Current studies suggest that the marketing of DTC genetic tests often exaggerates their predictive powers, which could misguide consumers. However, research indicates that the tests do not seem to have major negative effects (worry and confusion) but neither do they engender positive effects (lifestyle change) on current users. Research on regulation of the tests has most commonly suggested regulating the marketing claims of the companies. In conclusion, the risks and benefits of DTC genetic tests are less significant than what has been predicted by critics and proponents, which will be argued reflects broader historical trends transforming health and medicine. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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