Published 23 November 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b4950
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b4950

News

Doctors call for greater transparency over limits of genetic tests

Jacqui Wise

1 London

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Scientists have called for much more openness around direct to consumer genetic testing. Speaking at the meeting "Does genetics matter?" held in London this week, David Melzer, professor of epidemiology and public health at Peninsular Medical School, criticised the current regulatory system on genetic testing in Europe.

"European standards of regulation on genetic testing are very poor. The key is to end the secrecy and publish the clinical evidence behind any tests offered," he said.

"In the European Union we need an independent scientific committee to make judgments about genetic tests and the whole system to be based on transparency," said Professor Melzer at the meeting, which was organised by the Progress Educational Trust, a charity that aims to increase public engagement with matters surrounding assisted conception, genetics, and stem cell research.

The UK’s genetic watchdog, the Human Genetics Commission, is consulting on a code of practice for genetic testing.

. . . [Full text of this article]


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Complore Complore   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to StumbleUpon StumbleUpon   Add to Technorati Technorati   Add to Twitter Twitter    What's this?

Relevant Article

UK watchdog calls for international code to ensure safety of genetic tests for consumers
Zosia Kmietowicz
BMJ 2009 339: b3676. [Extract] [Full Text]

Access jobs at BMJ Careers
Whats new online at Student BMJ