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ANALYSIS:
David Melzer, Stuart Hogarth, Katherine Liddell, Tom Ling, Simon Sanderson, and Ron L Zimmern
Genetic tests for common diseases: new insights, old concerns
BMJ 2008; 336: 590-593 [Full text]
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[Read Rapid Response] Rigorous evaluation and regulation of genetic tests has indeed not kept pace with the genomics era
Dr Minnie Faith   (14 March 2008)

Rigorous evaluation and regulation of genetic tests has indeed not kept pace with the genomics era 14 March 2008
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Dr Minnie Faith,
Senior Lecturer
Department of Biochemistry, Christian Medical College, Bagayam, Vellore. S.India. Post Code-632002

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Re: Rigorous evaluation and regulation of genetic tests has indeed not kept pace with the genomics era

The article by David Melzer et al(1), has provided the necessary insight into the need of the hour. Rigorous evaluation and regulation of genetic tests on a national scale or at the international level need to be undertaken urgently with the current scenario of emergence of new genetic tests on a daily basis.

Today the way has been paved for vigorous marketing of these tests to the public without proper guidelines and information. Each of these tests for common diseases are expensive and pander to the public mentality of curiosity besides richly padding the pockets of the companies.

To the less informed public, genetic tests are the 'ULTIMATE' of all diagnostic tests and become the gospel truth. Anxiety about risk of future diseases and a hypochondriac mind set can become the norm of the day when these are marketed directly to the public who are disadvantaged in knowledge with regards to their interpretation.

As rightly pointed out, open guidelines, stringent regulations, evidence based clinical evaluations and placement of suffficient information for public access on a fast track is the only way to curb the growing deluge of tests. It is time that policy makers, researchers, doctors and the public work together towards a meaningful end.

1.David Melzer,Stuart Hogarth,Katherine Liddell,Tom Ling,Simon Sanderson,Ron L Zimmern.Genetic tests for common diseases: new insights, old concerns. BMJ 2008;336:590-593 (15 March)

Competing interests: None declared