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Posted on May 15, 2008, 8 p.m.
By Jeanelle Topping
Genetic testing is only advised for people at risk of developing a genetic condition, according to the Genetic Interest Group.
Genetic testing is only advised for people at risk of developing a genetic condition, according to the Genetic Interest Group.
As a genetic test is unable to determine whether or not a patient will definitely develop a disease, patients are often left vulnerable to either "unnecessary anxiety" or a false sense of security.
Alistair Kent, director of the Genetic Interest Group, advised that genetic information about future health risks should always be sought "in the context of a medical consultation with a clinician who can provide the appropriate information and counselling about the implications of having a test".
Concerns have been raised in recent times about unscrupulous companies offering genetic tests.
Qualified anti-aging physicians can help explain what the results of genetic testing may mean in practice.
A report conducted by the US National Office of Public Health Genomics found that there is insufficient scientific evidence to conclude that genomic profiles are useful in measuring genetic risk for common diseases.
