FTC WARNS PUBLIC ABOUT OTC GENETIC TESTS

The FTC July 27 said consumers should be cautious about the reliability of over-the-counter (OTC) genetic tests.

Some firms claim that their tests can help consumers screen for diseases, evaluate health risks or suggest treatments, but the FDA and CDC say genetic tests should be performed in a specialized laboratory, and the results should be interpreted by a trained healthcare professional or genetic counselor, the FTC said.

The FDA and CDC also contend that genetic testing provides only one piece of information about a person's susceptibility to disease, and that factors such as family background, medical history and environment can increase the likelihood of contracting particular diseases, the FTC said. Furthermore, the agencies want consumers to understand that at-home genetic tests are not a suitable substitute for a medical check-up, the FTC added.

The FTC's document, "At-Home Genetic Tests: A Healthy Dose of Skepticism May Be the Best Prescription," can be viewed at www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/health/hea02.htm (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/health/hea02.htm).