The disclosure of direct to consumer genetic testing : how to regulate them?

Direct to the consumer genetic test (DTC GT) service is an indisputable and increasing phenomenon which portray internet society. It lets hypothesize that common people search for more health information and more sense of responsibility on their health behaviors. Indeed, proponents of DTC GT argue that making consumers able to calculate the relative risk of developing certain diseases may result in improved compliance with health-screening practices and more healthful lifestyle choices. The advertisements have a tendency to highlight these benefits and minimize any possible limitations. Moreover, consumers purchase these tests without the obligatory involvement of the health care provider, leaving free interpretation and use of genetic data. Despite these aspects, no concrete evidence about the attitudes towards, knowledge and use of DTC GT tests by members of the general population exist. Findings of previous researches indicate a low level of awareness of direct-to-consumer genomic testing impact, because of the hypothetical nature of many studies, use of not representative samples of the population and too little evidence from users. It is necessary to provide a theoretical framework of DTC tests use and to collect systematic data on cognitive and behavioral DTC GT effects in the general population, in order to achieve progress in the policy arena, regulatory oversight, insights for consumers to make aware decisions and reduce the potential for misinterpreting genetic test results.