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Hsieh E, Morrissey BS, Chiareli IA. The Landscape of Direct-To-Consumer Genetic Testing in Reproductive Health Contexts: An Analytical Framework of Stakeholders and Their Competing Motivations. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2024:1-14. [PMID: 38317624 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2024.2312607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
We propose a theoretical framework that identifies (a) the different categories of stakeholders and (b) the normative values that drive their attitudes toward direct-to-consumer genetic testing, with an emphasis on the reproductive health contexts. We conducted a literature search using varied combinations of search terms, including direct-to-consumer genetic testing, decision-making, reproductive health, and policy. Using a grounded theory approach to existing literature and in combination with a narrative review, we present a systematic framework of five categories of stakeholders (i.e., genome-driven stakeholders, industry-driven stakeholders, history-driven stakeholders, value-driven stakeholders, and social justice-driven stakeholders) that shape the public's discourse. Moving beyond the dialectical ethics that have governed the public discourse, we also identify the normative values and interests that motivate different stakeholders' attitudes and decision-making through theoretical sampling under the grounded theory. We investigate the competing and conflicting values within the same category of stakeholders. For example, despite being industry-driven stakeholders, medical professionals' attitudes are driven by concerns about standards of care; in contrast, health insurance companies' concerns are centered on profit. We further explore the tensions between these stakeholders that impact their strategic alliances and pose challenges to the practices of direct-to-consumer genetic testing. Finally, we examine how these stakeholders and their corresponding values may shape future development and policies of direct-to-consumer genetic testing in the context of reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Hsieh
- Department of Communication Studies, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
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Kononova S, Vinokurova D, Barashkov NA, Semenova A, Sofronova S, Oksana S, Tatiana D, Struchkov V, Burtseva T, Romanova A, Fedorova S. The attitude of young people in the city of Yakutsk to DNA-testing. Int J Circumpolar Health 2021; 80:1973697. [PMID: 34544327 PMCID: PMC8462860 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2021.1973697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
This pilot research was one of the first sociological studies with general questions on genetic testing with 300 participants, 75% of which were representatives of one people - the Sakha. A quantitative method was used: a sociological survey with quota sampling (Δ ± 5%), held in February - March 2018 in the City of Yakutsk (n = 350).Analysis of the survey results have shown that the respondents have low levels of awareness about the DNA-testing method: 72.3% "do not know about the method". Only 18.7% of respondents knew that since 2000 the Medical-Genetic Centre of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) conducts DNA diagnostics for hereditary diseases, with 81.0% replying that they didn't know that. The questionnaire has shown that 90.3% of participants would like to undergo DNA-testing to identify their susceptibility to genetic diseases. Our questionnaire has shown high levels of self-identity among the young Sakha and their desire to learn about their belonging to a specific ethnicity (49.3%) with the assistance of DNA-testing. Furthermore, based on the answers relating to motivations for undergoing DNA-testing, we can say that the respondents have confirmed the peculiarities of their national mindset, specifically, high value of children for a family: "concern for the health of my future children" was a great motivator for taking the test (50.3%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sardana Kononova
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Yakut Scientific Centre of Complex Medical Problems, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
| | - Dekabrina Vinokurova
- Department of Psychology and Social Sciences, M.K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
| | - Nikolay A Barashkov
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Yakut Scientific Centre of Complex Medical Problems, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
| | - Ariadna Semenova
- Department of Psychology and Social Sciences, M.K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
| | - Sargylana Sofronova
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Yakut Scientific Centre of Complex Medical Problems, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
| | - Sidorova Oksana
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Yakut Scientific Centre of Complex Medical Problems, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
| | - Davydova Tatiana
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Yakut Scientific Centre of Complex Medical Problems, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
| | - Valentin Struchkov
- Department of Modern Languages and International Studies Translation, M.K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
| | - Tatiana Burtseva
- Department of Pediatrics and pediatric surgery, M.K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
| | - Anna Romanova
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Yakut Scientific Centre of Complex Medical Problems, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
| | - Sardana Fedorova
- Department of Molecular Biology, M.K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russian Federation
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Kalokairinou L, Howard HC, Slokenberga S, Fisher E, Flatscher-Thöni M, Hartlev M, van Hellemondt R, Juškevičius J, Kapelenska-Pregowska J, Kováč P, Lovrečić L, Nys H, de Paor A, Phillips A, Prudil L, Rial-Sebbag E, Romeo Casabona CM, Sándor J, Schuster A, Soini S, Søvig KH, Stoffel D, Titma T, Trokanas T, Borry P. Legislation of direct-to-consumer genetic testing in Europe: a fragmented regulatory landscape. J Community Genet 2018; 9:117-132. [PMID: 29150824 PMCID: PMC5849704 DOI: 10.1007/s12687-017-0344-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the increasing availability of direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing, it is currently unclear how such services are regulated in Europe, due to the lack of EU or national legislation specifically addressing this issue. In this article, we provide an overview of laws that could potentially impact the regulation of DTC genetic testing in 26 European countries, namely Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Emphasis is placed on provisions relating to medical supervision, genetic counselling and informed consent. Our results indicate that currently there is a wide spectrum of laws regarding genetic testing in Europe. There are countries (e.g. France and Germany) which essentially ban DTC genetic testing, while in others (e.g. Luxembourg and Poland) DTC genetic testing may only be restricted by general laws, usually regarding health care services and patients' rights.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Kalokairinou
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Biomedical Law and Ethics, University of Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, Box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - H C Howard
- Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - S Slokenberga
- Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Faculty of Law, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - E Fisher
- Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Flatscher-Thöni
- Institute of Public Health, Medical Decision Making and Health Technology Assessment, UMIT - University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - M Hartlev
- Faculty of Law, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - J Juškevičius
- Faculty of Law, Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - P Kováč
- Forensic.sk Inštitút forenzných medicínskych expertíz s.r.o, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Criminal Law and Criminology, Faculty of Law, Trnava University, Trnava, Slovakia
| | - L Lovrečić
- Clinical Institute of Medical Genetics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - H Nys
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Biomedical Law and Ethics, University of Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, Box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - A de Paor
- School of Law and Government, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - A Phillips
- School of Law, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - L Prudil
- AK PRUDIL a spol, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - E Rial-Sebbag
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Paris, France
| | | | - J Sándor
- Faculty of Political Science, Legal Studies and Gender Studies of the Central European University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - A Schuster
- Department of Legal Sciences, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - S Soini
- Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - K H Søvig
- Faculty of law, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - D Stoffel
- University Paris-Est Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - T Titma
- School of Governance, Law and Society, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia
- School of Information Technologies, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - T Trokanas
- School of Law, European University of Cyprus, Egkomi, Cyprus
| | - P Borry
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Biomedical Law and Ethics, University of Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, Box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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Meisel SF, Fraser LSM, Side L, Gessler S, Hann KEJ, Wardle J, Lanceley A. Anticipated health behaviour changes and perceived control in response to disclosure of genetic risk of breast and ovarian cancer: a quantitative survey study among women in the UK. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e017675. [PMID: 29275340 PMCID: PMC5770899 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic risk assessment for breast cancer and ovarian cancer (BCOC) is expected to make major inroads into mainstream clinical practice. It is important to evaluate the potential impact on women ahead of its implementation in order to maximise health benefits, as predictive genetic testing without adequate support could lead to adverse psychological and behavioural responses to risk disclosure. OBJECTIVE To examine anticipated health behaviour changes and perceived control to disclosure of genetic risk for BCOC and establish demographic and person-specific correlates of adverse anticipated responses in a population-based sample of women. DESIGN Cross-sectional quantitative survey study carried out by the UK Office for National Statistics in January and March 2014. SETTING Face-to-face computer-assisted interviews conducted by trained researchers in participants' homes. PARTICIPANTS 837 women randomly chosen from households across the UK identified from the Royal Mail's Postcode Address File. OUTCOME MEASURES Anticipated health behaviour change and perceived control to disclosure of BCOC risk. RESULTS In response to a genetic test result, most women (72%) indicated 'I would try harder to have a healthy lifestyle', and over half (55%) felt 'it would give me more control over my life'. These associations were independent of demographic factors or perceived risk of BCOC in Bonferroni-corrected multivariate analyses. However, a minority of women (14%) felt 'it isn't worth making lifestyle changes' and that 'I would feel less free to make choices in my life' (16%) in response to BCOC risk disclosure. The former belief was more likely to be held by women who were educated below university degree level (P<0.001) after adjusting for other demographic and person-specific correlates. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that women in the UK largely anticipate that they would engage in positive health behaviour changes in response to BCOC risk disclosure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne F Meisel
- Dept of Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Lucy Side
- Clinical Genetics, University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Sue Gessler
- Dept of Women’s Cancer, UCL EGA Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, London, UK
- Gynaecological Cancer Centre, University College London Hospitals (UCLH), London, UK
| | - Katie E J Hann
- Dept of Women’s Cancer, UCL EGA Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jane Wardle
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anne Lanceley
- Dept of Women’s Cancer, UCL EGA Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, London, UK
- Gynaecological Cancer Centre, University College London Hospitals (UCLH), London, UK
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Chung MWH, Ng JCF. Personal utility is inherent to direct-to-consumer genomic testing. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2016; 42:649-652. [PMID: 27250638 DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2015-103057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
People for and against direct-to-consumer (DTC) genomic tests are arguing around two issues: first, on whether an autonomy-based account can justify the tests; second, on whether the tests bring any personal utility. Bunnik et al, in an article published in this journal, were doubtful on the latter, especially in clinically irrelevant and uninterpretable sequences, and how far this claim could go in the justification. Here we argue that personal utility is inherent to DTC genomic tests and their results. We discuss Bunnik et al's account of personal utility and identify problems in its motivation and application. We then explore concepts like utility and entertainment which suggest that DTC genomic tests bring personal utility to their consumers, both in the motivation and the content of the tests. This points to an alternative account of personal utility which entails that entertainment value alone is adequate to justify DTC genomic tests, given appropriate strategies to communicate tests results with the consumers. It supports the autonomy-based justification of the test by showing that DTC genomic test itself stands as a valuable option and facilitates meaningful choice of the people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Wai Heng Chung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Joseph Chi Fung Ng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Loi M. Direct to consumer genetic testing and the libertarian right to test. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2016; 42:574-577. [PMID: 27009980 DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2015-102827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
I sketch a libertarian argument for the right to test in the context of 'direct to consumer' (DTC) genetic testing. A libertarian right to genetic tests, as defined here, relies on the idea of a moral right to self-ownership. I show how a libertarian right to test can be inferred from this general libertarian premise, at least as a prima facie right, shifting the burden of justification on regulators. I distinguish this distinctively libertarian position from some arguments based on considerations of utility or autonomy, which are sometimes labelled 'libertarian' because they oppose a tight regulation of the direct to consumer genetic testing sector. If one takes the libertarian right to test as a starting point, the whole discussion concerning autonomy and personal utility may be sidestepped. Finally, I briefly consider some considerations that justify the regulation of the DTC genetic testing market, compatible with the recognition of a prima facie right to test.
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Davis DS. Genetic Testing as Part of a Plan for Preemptive Suicide in the Face of Impending Dementia. CURRENT GENETIC MEDICINE REPORTS 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s40142-016-0101-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Covolo L, Rubinelli S, Ceretti E, Gelatti U. Internet-Based Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing: A Systematic Review. J Med Internet Res 2015; 17:e279. [PMID: 26677835 PMCID: PMC4704942 DOI: 10.2196/jmir.4378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Revised: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Direct-to-consumer genetic tests (DTC-GT) are easily purchased through the Internet, independent of a physician referral or approval for testing, allowing the retrieval of genetic information outside the clinical context. There is a broad debate about the testing validity, their impact on individuals, and what people know and perceive about them. Objective The aim of this review was to collect evidence on DTC-GT from a comprehensive perspective that unravels the complexity of the phenomenon. Methods A systematic search was carried out through PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and Embase, in addition to Google Scholar according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist with the key term “Direct-to-consumer genetic test.” Results In the final sample, 118 articles were identified. Articles were summarized in five categories according to their focus on (1) knowledge of, attitude toward use of, and perception of DTC-GT (n=37), (2) the impact of genetic risk information on users (n=37), (3) the opinion of health professionals (n=20), (4) the content of websites selling DTC-GT (n=16), and (5) the scientific evidence and clinical utility of the tests (n=14). Most of the articles analyzed the attitude, knowledge, and perception of DTC-GT, highlighting an interest in using DTC-GT, along with the need for a health care professional to help interpret the results. The articles investigating the content analysis of the websites selling these tests are in agreement that the information provided by the companies about genetic testing is not completely comprehensive for the consumer. Given that risk information can modify consumers’ health behavior, there are surprisingly few studies carried out on actual consumers and they do not confirm the overall concerns on the possible impact of DTC-GT. Data from studies that investigate the quality of the tests offered confirm that they are not informative, have little predictive power, and do not measure genetic risk appropriately. Conclusions The impact of DTC-GT on consumers’ health perceptions and behaviors is an emerging concern. However, negative effects on consumers or health benefits have yet to be observed. Nevertheless, since the online market of DTC-GT is expected to grow, it is important to remain aware of a possible impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loredana Covolo
- Unit of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Italy, Brescia, Italy.
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