“Your Genetic Information Should Be Controlled by You”
“Your Genetic Information Should Be Controlled by You”
Personalized Genetic Testing
This chapter discusses how consumerized genetic testing has become controversial, since it both involves a direct relationship between consumer, researcher, and industry, and because it is grounded on presumptions not fully supported by genomic research. Retail genetics has generally become a symbol for personalized medicine, as well as a place of conflict between those who agree that acquiring direct-to-customer (DTC) genetic testing should be a matter of personal choice, and those who believe that it needs public regulation. There exists an ongoing clash of Me and We philosophies, with advocates of DTC genetic testing utilizing the language of choice, responsibility, and empowerment against the belief that society is interested in limiting potential risks. The latter part of the chapter revisits the four reasons why Me Medicine is overpowering We Medicine—threat, narcissism, corporate interests, choice—with regards to personalized genetic testing.
Keywords: genetic testing, genomic research, DTC genetic testing, personal choice, Me Medicine, We Medicine, direct-to-customer genetic testing
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