AMA to Wall Street Journal: Genetic Tests Should Include Interpretatio

May 3, 2011(published)

The Wall Street Journal
Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

The article "Your Genes in an Envelope? More, Please" (Review, April 23) mischaracterizes the American Medical Association's position. The AMA strongly supports the use of appropriate genetic testing to aid in diagnostic and therapeutic decisions and the rights of patients to obtain the results of such testing. By law, patients have the right to access their own health information.

For many of the genetic tests being offered directly to patients, there is scant evidence to support the test's value. Companies marketing tests directly to patients should include all relevant information regarding capabilities and limitations of the tests. Without the benefit of medical counseling, patients may spend money on direct-to-consumer genetic tests needlessly or misinterpret the results, causing them to make unnecessary or unhealthy lifestyle changes.

The results of genetic tests are seldom straightforward, and physicians, genetic counselors and other genetics specialists are best prepared to help patients understand the results and limitations of genetic tests and what type of action should occur based on the results.

Ardis D. Hoven, MD
Chair, American Medical Association