Trent Ronald
PhD, FRACP, FRCPA, Professor of Molecular Medical Genetics, Sydney University and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW.
Aust Fam Physician. 2014 Jul;43(7):436-9.
From early 2000 a new form of DNA genetic testing became available commercially. It bypasses the medical practitioner and can be ordered directly by the individual.
To understand direct-to-consumer (DTC) DNA genetic testing and be able to respond appropriately if asked to be involved by a patient.
Presently, all but one or two DTC DNA genetic testing laboratories are located outside Australia. The industry promotes itself as a means to better health through giving individuals complete control over their results. When communicating with patients about DTC DNA genetic testing, general practitioners will need to make a determination about the clinical utility of the test and the laboratory validity, both of which can be difficult in the current environment. Assistance may be available through public hospital clinical genetics services, although waiting times can be long. There is likely to be tighter regulation of these types of testing in the future, which may include involvement of medical practitioners.
从21世纪初开始，一种新型的DNA基因检测在商业上可用。它绕过了医生，个人可以直接订购。
了解直接面向消费者（DTC）的DNA基因检测，并能够在患者要求参与时做出适当回应。
目前，除了一两个之外，所有DTC DNA基因检测实验室都位于澳大利亚境外。该行业将自己宣传为一种通过让个人完全掌控检测结果来改善健康的手段。在与患者交流DTC DNA基因检测时，全科医生需要确定检测的临床实用性和实验室有效性，而在当前环境下这两者都可能很困难。公立医院的临床遗传学服务可能会提供帮助，尽管等待时间可能很长。未来对这类检测可能会有更严格的监管，这可能包括医生的参与。
