[Oncogenetics: a new activity between research and medicine]

The on-going development of predictive tests for common cancers--as breast and colorectal cancers--is potentially introducing fundamental changes in medical practices, and, therefore, changes in the role and meaning of medicine in society. In this context, analysing the conditions of emergence and development of cancergenetics activities, and their potential implications, appears as an issue of particular interest for sociology. The study conducted at Inserm unit 379 in Marseille, in collaboration with physicians from institut Paoli-Calmettes, led us, firstly, to identify a set of factors as decisive for the future of these activities. In addition, this analysis highlights the diversity of the conditions of introduction of genetic tests, depending on the pathologies and the context of existing clinical practices. Considering these elements, we argue for the setting of adequate modalities of regulation so as to permit a managed and responsible introduction of genetic testing in medicine and society.