from journal BMJ Today
Over-the-counter or online genetic tests
have become popular, but a group of
British scientists urge caution in using the
results for health decisions without further
medical information and consultation.
They wrote in the journal BMJ Today that
finding a “health risk” via these consumer
genetic tests often does not mean a
person will go on to develop the health
problem in question, and “reassuring”
results might be unreliable. For patients
with a personal or family history
suggesting a genetic condition, the
authors recommend a clinical—meaning
not consumer—genetic test. That also
applies to people with a personal or family
history of disease who receive reassuring
news from an over-the-counter or online
genetic test.