건강인 대상 Direct to Consumer Genetic Test의 사회적·윤리적 쟁점

Direct to Consumer Genetic Tests and Its Social and Ethical Implications

Direct to consumer genetic test(hereafter DTC GT) is defined as genetic test or service which is marketed directly to consumers, purchased according to consumer’s requests, and provide its result directly to consumers without the intervention of healthcare professionals. DTC GT companies have claimed various putative benefits of DTC GT, but there are concerns regarding interpretation of health related information without personalized medical supervision and genetic consultation as well as accuracy and utility of those tests. It is necessary to find out the impacts of DTC GT on consumers in order to assess benefits and harms of DTC GT. This paper deals with ethical and social implications of DTC GT. First, it will identify marketing ideology of DTC GT. Second, it will examine consumer’s motivation and find out whether DTC GT is equipped with scientific and clinical accuracy and utility to meet their satisfaction. Last, it will address policy and regulation of EU and US regarding DTC GT and discuss obligation of health care professionals and necessity of citizens’ education.