Future stop: California health officials against personal genetics risk-takers
Posted by attilachordash on June 18, 2008
It’s official: The California Department of Public Health wants practicing physicians (many of them prehistorically, sorry, traditionally trained) to be the patres familias in issues between personal genetic test takers and direct-to-consumer personal genetic testing start-ups while declining the test takers’ right to get familiar with their own genetic makeup and risks by their own.
Calif. cracks down on 13 genetic testing startups
California health regulators have demanded that 13 direct-to-consumer genetic testing startups halt sales in the state until they prove they meet state standards. All the companies have two weeks to demonstrate to regulators that their laboratories are certified by the state and federal governments, said department spokeswoman Lea Brooks. The startups also must show the tests they are selling California residents have been ordered by a doctor as required by state law.
I give you trusted links instead of complicating your day with my own opinion:
California challenges genetic testing firms’ claims
Attention, California Health Dept.: My DNA Is My Data
Regulators, Genetic Testing Companies Begin Face Off
Mr. Gunn said
Here’s an interesting post from someone who seems to be behind this legislative push. Kudos to Steve for his openness, because he gets his ass handed to him by the commenters.
attilacsordas said
Thx, very interesting thread.
Stephe Murphy says:
“As I sit in the Union League, preparing for the ICOB meeting at the Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative……I have now seen the arrogance with which these companies were launched. Your arrogance and sneering down the nose at physicians is precisely why you WILL be regulated.
I am deeply saddened that you think so little of people who have a doctorate degree in something that you do not have.
“23andME and these other *dedicated* services do a much better job of explaining genetics – especially on a genomic scale – to people than doctors, who are only really comfortable prescribing antibiotics.”
Ouch….this is obviously why you feel the way you do. You would have no idea what a physician is comfortable doing. I am not saying they are perfect, but they are easier to educate than the public. That being said, we need to educate both. I think you have given me great fodder to post on tomorrow. Thank you
and another comment by Sherpa…..
“I don’t mean to be arrogant. I just get frustrated with the whole DIY gang!. I went to medical school for an extra 4 years and then on to residency for 5.”
personal genomics controversy | brainhealthhacks.com said
[...] ruled that these companies can not sell their service without a doctor’s order. Attila, at PIMM, also has some thoughts on this [...]
The Genetic Mess in California - A Round-Up, and My Thoughts » The Genetic Genealogist said
[...] – Future stop: California health officials against personal genetics risk-takers; Innovation stop: “All they’ve done is created an extra billing event for the [...]
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