Healthy Skepticism Library item: 2498

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Baird PA.
Identification of genetic susceptibility to common diseases: the case for regulation.
Perspect Biol Med 2002 Fal; 45:(4):516-28
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12388884

Abstract:

There is, and will continue to be, pressure to disseminate and market population-wide availability of genetic susceptibility tests for common, complexly determined diseases. Many of the claims for such genetic screening tests are made by parties who stand to gain: laboratories, service providers, biotechnology firms, scientists working in genetics. Despite the fact that there is little or no evidence to support the claims of benefit, the current lack of appropriate regulation means there is a danger that promotion and advertising will nevertheless be successful in marketing such testing. Some suggestions as to the content of possible regulation are made, and some impediments to the implementation of regulation are discussed.

Keywords:
Advertising Biotechnology Canada Costs and Cost Analysis Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/genetics Drug Industry Genetic Predisposition to Disease* Genetic Screening*/economics Genetics, Population Genotype Humans Patents Risk Factors *analysis Canada screening genetics biotechnology conflict-of-interest INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION: HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE PROMOTIONAL STRATEGIES: INDUSTRY REGULATIONS, CODES, GUIDELINES: DIRECT GOVERNMENT REGULATION