Direct-to-consumer personalized genomic testing.

Area of Science:

• Genomics
• Bioethics
• Consumer Health

Background:

• Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genomic testing has seen significant advancements, particularly concerning US governmental regulation.
• Commentaries on DTC genomic testing are abundant, but empirical research is limited.
• Existing research primarily focuses on uptake, perceptions, and attitudes toward disease susceptibility testing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the scarcity of empirical research on the behavioral responses to DTC genetic testing for various purposes (disease susceptibility, ancestry, drug response).
• To emphasize the urgent need for further research in this rapidly evolving field.
• To underscore the importance of understanding the delivery, impact, and use of individualized genomic data.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on direct-to-consumer genomic testing.
• Identification of research gaps concerning consumer behavioral response.
• Analysis of the current landscape of DTC genomic testing and its future implications.

Main Results:

• Limited empirical studies exist on consumer behavioral responses to DTC genetic testing.
• Research on ancestry and drug response testing is particularly scarce.
• The field is evolving rapidly, posing challenges for research design.

Conclusions:

• Further research is critically needed to address the knowledge gaps in DTC genomic testing.
• Understanding the impact and use of individualized genomic data is essential.
• DTC genomic testing is a precursor to widespread whole genome sequencing, necessitating continued investigation.