Making the World a Healthier Place

Genetic tests should not be provided direct to consumers under the age of 18.

DTC personal genetic testing should never be used as a predictive measure, nor as a means to identify which sport a customer should attempt or indeed even to influence the customer’s choice of fitness level or sporting goal. There exists no ethical or scientific basis upon which to support the use of genetic information in this way, and this should be clearly communicated to the customer.

All providers of DTC genetic testing should provide clear information to prospective customers about every gene variant included in the test.

Variants should only be reported in a consumer test if there is a reasonable level of scientific consensus, based on human studies, showing their relevance to the test. The variants that are reported in a consumer test should be those that influence lifestyle changes from which health benefits may be derived.

DTC genetics companies should clearly state the limitations of fitness and nutrition genetics and make no exaggerated or misleading claims about the potential benefits of their product.

Recommended fitness or nutrition regimes must not be built solely on genetic results. Environmental factors play a more important role than genetics.

DTC genetics companies should disclose the location of the laboratory used to analyse samples to enable a customer to make an informed decision about the security of their DNA sample and the quality of the laboratory analysis.

DTC genetics companies should have experts in their particular field available to explain results to customers.

If DTC genetics companies recommend or promote any additional products or services to their customers, such as nutritional supplements, they should clearly state if they have commercial relationships with third party suppliers.

Customers should be required to provide their formal consent to genetic testing and sign a declaration confirming their understanding of how their data will be used.