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"Be ready against cancer, now": direct-to-consumer advertising for genetic testing

Bryn William-Jones1

  • 1Programmes de bioethique, Universite de Montreal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montreal (Quebec) Canada H3C 3J7. bryn.williams-jones@umontreal.ca

New Genetics and Society
|February 23, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising for genetic tests, like Myriad Genetics' BRACAnalysis, is a growing concern. This study examines the social, ethical, and policy implications of such unregulated DTC genetic test marketing.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Bioethics
  • Health Policy

Background:

  • Direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising for pharmaceuticals is debated.
  • Critiques are emerging regarding DTC marketing and sales of genetic tests.
  • Existing literature often overlooks the advertising aspect of DTC genetic tests.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the implications of DTC advertising for genetic tests.
  • To highlight overlooked aspects of DTC genetic test marketing.
  • To examine the social, ethical, and policy dimensions of DTC genetic test advertising.

Main Methods:

  • Case study analysis of Myriad Genetics' 2002 BRACAnalysis advertising campaign.
  • Review of academic and policy literature on DTC marketing of genetic tests.

Main Results:

  • DTC advertising for genetic tests employs diverse, often unregulated approaches.
  • Public exposure to medical technology advertising is increasing due to global media and internet access.
  • National regulatory bodies face challenges in constraining this advertising.

Conclusions:

  • DTC advertising for genetic tests presents significant social, ethical, and policy challenges.
  • The unregulated nature of some DTC advertising requires further attention.
  • Understanding these implications is crucial for effective health policy and regulation.

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