'DIY genetic tests' guidelines published

“DIY genetics tests guidelines published” on the BBC News is an interesting topic because genetic testing is not uncommon to us anymore, it is becoming more relevant to us nowadays. Is this the beginning of an effective primary prevention of diseases which everyone is waiting for? Who can provide an answer to this question?

In this report, people can buy DIY genetic tests from the internet which can estimate a person’s risk of diseases such as cancer, based on their genetic. However, these people get tested without counselling or enough information to interpret the results, therefore, the Human Genetics Commission (HCG) is concerned about this situation and HCG has launched a guideline for the industry. The principle of this guideline is related to serious hereditary diseases that should only be provided with counseling before and after testing.

My opinion is that not only HCG should publish the guideline, but also should strictly control the tests at this moment. I have three reasons to support this. First, there are no medical tests that can give 100% correct results. There are always false positive and false negative. This means the results could be wrong and the people should know about this. I’m not sure whether the company gives out this information in their kits. Second, “an abnormal gene doesn’t mean a disease.” This sentence is not totally correct but almost Few diseases are absolutely related to genetic, such as Huntington’s disease but more common diseases are caused by multiple factors, such as diabetes, hypertension ,common type of cancers. Therefore, when the result becomes positive, it doesn’t mean that they will certainly have the disease in the future but It means that they have a higher risk to develop the disease than people who don’t carry abnormal genes. They may become panic, scared, or depressed , especially if they don’t have a counselor to provide them the accurate information. Third, a supporting plan is highly important after knowing that the result is positive. If the disease is preventable or curable, then is not a big problem. In contrast, the bigger problem will occur for the disease which is highly morbid or mortal. For example, Huntington’s disease is a hereditary neurological disorder. Patients with this disease will suffer from abnormal movements on their limbs when they become older. This disease is not preventable or treatable. After people discovered that they carry this genetic risk, they may feel hopeless, depressed, and might end up committing suicide. It might be better if they didn’t know about the results. Appropriate counseling will help them prepare for this event and to decide whether to take the test. So, I think HCG should strictly control this test . However , medical technology rapidly changes all the time and my opinion may change at that time as well.

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References

‘DIY genetics tests’ guidelines published (2010, August 4). BBC News. Retrieved August 6, 2010 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-10844495