Gene Testing On The Brink
March 19th 2008
New genetic technologies make dramatic advances in medicine possible - but neither doctors nor patients are ready for them, researchers claimed last night.
Neither group is well-informed about advances in genetics even though they are "optimistic" about the prospects, according to the study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Researchers said genetic testing will "increasingly" be available to help with the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of common diseases.
But research studies had done little to demonstrate its benefits.
Little research has been done to assess the health benefits of genetic testing, the researchers said.
Nor had much work been done to decide the best way of offering genetic tests to adults.
The researchers, from Rand Health, USA, said projects in Britain had shown a nurse geneticist could work in primary care practice, achieving high patient satisfaction and low costs.
Researcher Dr Maren Scheuner said: "Genetic testing increasingly will be available to aid in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of common chronic diseases, not just rare genetic diseases.
"What requires attention now is how we will provide these services to an increasing number of patients."
JAMA. 2008;299[11]:1320-1334
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