Response to Genetics Article in The Jewish Standard

by Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD on November 29th, 2006

In response to the series of genetics articles published in The Jewish Standard last week, I asked Lisa Lee of DNA Direct to share her thoughts specifically on the article about direct-to-consumer genetic testing by Dr. Miryam Wahrman.

DNA Direct offers medical tests and provides information about medical guidelines for appropriateness of testing. For example, ACOG recommends that ALL couples contemplating pregnancy/currently pregnant, screen for CF because of high carrier risk (1/25 in Caucasians, Ashkenazi Jews).
DNA Direct requires phone counseling before BRCA and fertility testing, which the author failed to mention. This would have been a bold message on her fertility/BRCA recommendation pages. This phone counseling covers personal and medical history details to determine if testing is appropriate; to confirm whether the individual still wants testing after understanding pros/cons of testing and what it can/can’t tell you; and to gather information to help interpret test results, should the individual proceed with testing.

If the author had viewed a Sample Personalized Report (Personalized Reports accompany all test results), she would have seen that DNA Direct’s reports are very extensive (25-75 printed pages) and discuss in detail the results interpretation, prevention/treatment options, inheritance and family issues, and much more - including a clinical Physician Letter (to be given to the tester’s doctor) and a Family Letter (for informing family of test results). Yes, DNA Direct encourages individuals to work with their doctors, just like any other genetics clinic would.
The author also neglected to mention that certified genetics counselors are available to testers before, during and after counseling AT NO ADDITIONAL COST. DNA Direct requires that our more complicated tests, such as BRCA and infertility require that results be delivered over the phone, in a genetic counseling session, which is a practice that most genetics clinics use depending on the individual and their circumstances.
The FDA cannot approve most at-home genetic tests, because the FDA does not regulate laboratory-developed testing (which is most genetic tests), only manufactured kit testing (such as the Roche Amplichip).

For more information that addresses so many of the issues raised by Dr. Wahrman, I would suggest people check out our Standards & Guidelines.

NB: I have no financial affiliation with DNA Direct.

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