Genetic Testing

Dave Amber1 reviewed the public's risks in genetic DNA testing and the potential need for federal oversight to ensure the accuracy and predictability of these tests to avoid erroneous preventive surgical and medical care. The added user cost to the public for this Food and Drug Administration surveillance is yet to be determined. DNA testing has become more complicated than expected in that the variations of genetic mutations are numerous. A negative DNA test for a known hereditary cancer syndrome does not always indicate an absence of that syndrome as the kindred may have a previously unrecognized mutation. If a hereditary cancer syndrome has been identified in a kindred and DNA testing of its members is requested, multiple members of the kindred will need to be tested for the establishment of the presence of that mutation. It is only then that a negative DNA test in other members of the ...