Genetic test customers to get better protection

PRIVATE genetic testing firms are being urged to follow new guidelines to give better protection to customers.

Genetic tests are offered in private clinics and over the internet with the aim of predicting the risk of disease later in life. There have been warnings of firms making bogus claims about their tests, with several having little basis in science.

Now the Human Genetics Commission (HGC) has published a set of voluntary principles covering all aspects of the industry's work, including marketing.

The principles stop short of forming an official code of practice, which the House of Lords science and technology committee called for last year.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said it was impossible to pass legislation on the issue because so many of the companies are based abroad.

Under the new principles, easy-to-understand information should be given to patients and claims about tests should be supported by evidence published in scientific journals.

Dr Frances Flinter, chair of the HGC group that developed the principles, said some of the tests offered "are of doubtful value to say the least".