Talk“Direct to Consumer” or Virtual Genetics Clinic?
Recently there’s been a flurry of discussion about direct-to-consumer genetic testing as a result of the GAO investigation into nutrigenetic testing and presentation to the Senate Committee on Aging a few weeks ago. Many articles have been positive about DNA Direct’s services while being critical of direct-to-consumer sales of genetic tests. Why is this?
I propose it’s because what we offer is really a virtual genetics clinic. We don’t simply sell tests directly to consumers. We strive to provide virtually the education, counseling, screening, and professional oversight that people receive in a physical setting. We use the same medical guidelines and so forth that genetics clinics use. And, we are actively engaged with the medical community and legislators to ensure that our standards raise the bar — and help establish it.
Over at Genes & Drugs, Dr. E offers his thoughts on our services in light of these issues, specifically as they are presented in last week’s New England Journal of Medicine.
Technorati Tags: genetic testing, direct to consumer, genetic counseling, GAO report
August 20th, 2006 at 5:12 pm
I am confused. Most genetics clinics keep peoples record and touch base with them from time to time. Does your virtual clinic do that? And what if the patient isn’t ready for the results, does the virtual clinic have enough manpower to answer everyone’s call when they get the results? True, DNA Direct does not sell nutrigenomic testing, but how can you protect yourself from the over-arching mandate that the GAO will recommend?
August 22nd, 2006 at 2:41 pm
Yes, we do keep people’s records and yes, we offer ongoing contact with people who test with us. Testers’ can speak with a genetic counselor at any time during the testing process — before, during and after, at no additional charge. In addition to that, all testers receive an in-depth Personalized Report, which they access online (link to sample in the right column). Many people print their reports to read and re-read at their leisure. Many share their reports with family members.
As for manpower, right now our clinical staff happen to be women :-). As demand grows, so does our clinical staff.
Most of the issues the GAO has with nutrigenomic testing companies don’t apply to our tests and services. The GAO’s initiative affects us in the same way it affects any clinic that uses CLIA-certified labs. As CLIA is strengthened, we can reassure our testers of these regulations. We have always been transparent about our clinical and company standards. These have been developed (and will continue to evolve) openly, in discussion with scientific advisors and thought leaders such as Kathy Hudson of the Genetics & Public Policy Center. Rather than protect ourselves against the GAO, we will continue to engage with them.