Genetic Testing: DNA Tests Go Direct To Consumer?

pharma, sales, headhunter, clinical, genetic, testing, DNA

Here’s a fascinating article and commentary about the current situation and future possibilities of personal genetic testing:   specifically about companies like 23andMe, and generally about ethics, effectiveness, and who should be in charge.  There’s a strong sentiment for keeping DNA testing in the hands of pharma professionals to avoid unreliable results and mass hysteria, but there’s an equally compelling argument for educating the consumer/patient with as much information as possible, creating more room for self-advocacy.

My personal opinion:  It’s a great business opportunity to provide personal genetic testing to those individuals who are interested in it.  I know I’m interested in it.  I want access to any test that’s available and I can afford without insurance companies or government acting as gatekeeper.  (There’s the privacy factor, too.)  I don’t think that one test (either a self-test by a consumer or a lab-run test) is infallible, so I think that questionable results would warrant further investigation with a pharmaceutical team–which means that I don’t think it’s an encroachment on clinical diagnostics or the pharma field.  The average consumer isn’t capable of making their own diagnosis based on one of these tests, but I do think that any education about DNA testing and what it might offer us in the future is a good thing.

What do you think?

Article courtesy of  Peggy McKee - Owner / Senior Recruiter at the nationally
recognized clinical and laboratory sales recruiting team of PHC Consulting.
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