Regulating the advertising of genetic tests in Europe: a balancing act

Louiza Kalokairinou, Pascal Borry, Heidi Carmen Howard

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests (GT) have provoked criticism over their potential adverse impact on public health. The European Parliament called for a ban on DTC advertising of GT during the debate for the adoption of a European Regulation on in vitro diagnostic medical devices. This proposal, however, was not ultimately retained in the final text. Instead, the regulation includes an article prohibiting misleading claims for this kind of advertising. These two different approaches raise questions about the optimal degree of regulation. Herein, we provide an overview of the ways GT have been advertised and related ethical issues. Subsequently, the laws regulating the advertising of GT at the European Union and national level are examined. Finally, recent regulatory developments are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)651-656
JournalJournal of Medical Genetics
Volume54
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017 Oct
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

© Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Medical Ethics

Free keywords

  • Direct-to-Consumer Advertising/legislation & jurisprudence
  • Europe
  • European Union
  • Genetic Testing/legislation & jurisprudence
  • Humans
  • Internet

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