Aggregated News
Leading genetic testing companies are providing clients with widely divergent and inaccurate predictions of their chances of developing serious diseases. That is the finding from tests conducted by different firms on the same person.
Using my own DNA, I approached three firms who between them provide the majority of genetic tests for common diseases in the UK. They gave contradictory assessments of the risk I faced of developing illnesses, including Alzheimer's and glaucoma, and a confused verdict on my risk of suffering heart problems.
The findings reveal that those paying up to £825 for the tests may be receiving either misleading assurances that they face low heath risks or are being caused needless anxiety by warnings of high risks.
Lord Taverne, a member of a Lords select committee investigating genetic testing, said: "This [investigation] confirms that some of the commercial genetic tests can be very misleading and harmful. It may cause unnecessary anxiety and people may take action based on an unreliable diagnosis."
Though in its infancy in the UK, the market for genetic testing is predicted to grow fast....
Using my own DNA, I approached three firms who between them provide the majority of genetic tests for common diseases in the UK. They gave contradictory assessments of the risk I faced of developing illnesses, including Alzheimer's and glaucoma, and a confused verdict on my risk of suffering heart problems.
The findings reveal that those paying up to £825 for the tests may be receiving either misleading assurances that they face low heath risks or are being caused needless anxiety by warnings of high risks.
Lord Taverne, a member of a Lords select committee investigating genetic testing, said: "This [investigation] confirms that some of the commercial genetic tests can be very misleading and harmful. It may cause unnecessary anxiety and people may take action based on an unreliable diagnosis."
Though in its infancy in the UK, the market for genetic testing is predicted to grow fast....