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Direct-to-consumer genetic testing also in our country

Publication at Second Faculty of Medicine |
2009

Abstract

The main features of direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing suffers from the loss of personal contact between a client and a genetic consultant, who is apt to assess the usefulness of genetic testing and to interpret results of genetic tests and who is also sufficiently trained to provide professional way of consultation. Laboratories offering these services often inform clients by phone, and neglect their identification - the samples examined may be anonymous.

Also samples from children are accepted for testing. Quality control is not mandatory and laboratory genetic testing is not a licenced business in the Czech Republic.

Because of these problems, which are not specific to our situation, but rather global, the possibility of the ban concerning these activities is being discussed in several European countries.