Direct to Consumer Testing: A Genetic Counselor Perspective



 

This lecture will review the types of direct to consumer (DTC) genetic tests that are currently on the market and why DTC testing is growing. We will focus on the medical utility of these tests, when and why health care providers should order confirmatory testing, and ethical issues surrounding these tests. Finally, we will explore secondary uses of patient data by such companies.

Originally presented on November 9, 2021, in Salt Lake City, Utah.


Lecture Presenter

Christine Miller, MS, LCGC

Christine Miller, MS, LCGC

Adjunct Faculty
University of Utah
Genetic Counselor
ARUP Laboratories


Objectives

After this presentation, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the types of health information provided by Direct To Consumer (DTC) companies
  • Understand why DTC health tests results can be misleading or inaccurate
  • Describe types of DTC results that could be upsetting
  • Discuss when to you should refer your patient to a genetic counselor
  • Explore secondary uses of genetic data by DTC companies

Sponsored by:

University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, and ARUP Laboratories