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Genetic testing 'not fool-proof'
19 May 2008
People should only consider undergoing genetic testing if there is reason to be concerned about the possibility of developing a genetic condition, experts advise.
Genetic testing is not a fool-proof test. As they are unable to definitively determine whether a person will or will not develop a particular disease, testing can often leave patients vulnerable to "unnecessary anxiety" or a false sense of security.
Alistair Kent, director of the Genetic Interest Group, explained: "You should always seek out genetic information about future health risks in the context of a medical consultation with a clinician who understands the issues and who can provide the appropriate information and counselling about the implications of having a test and how to interpret the results after, so you know what the results mean in practice."
Physicians may use genetic testing to determine if a patient has gene mutations that could increase their chances of developing a disease, particularly in those with a strong family history of genetic disorders such as Alzheimer's.
The medical industry has recently raised concern over companies offering genetic tests based on insufficient preliminary research.
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