I’m thrilled with my 23andMe data and scientific references. Of course I’ll get alternate genotyping in the future but this is a solid start.

”We think if you’re telling people you have increased risk of adverse health effects, that’s medical advice,” said Ann Willey, director of the office of laboratory policy and planning at the New York State Department of Health.”

What a complete bunch of horse shit. Are all these regulators in the pockets of the medical profession? There is not need for empirical evidence to be interpreted by an MD? You’re telling us that we can’t interpret our own over-the-counter pregnancy test. I need some fucking MD to tell me I’m pregnant and what the consequences of that is?

Anne Wiley, you’re a pathetic tool. I didn’t know there were so many mickey mouse universities handing our PhDs. What a joke this country has become. Yeah. Like we need doctors to protect us about as much as we need lawyers to protect us.

Well as someone that’s done the 23andMe thing I think getting your best buddy or worst enemy to spit up for five minutes into a small test tube might actually tip them off that something’s not quite right. We’re not talking about plucking a hair from their comb here.

As for the CA ruling, it sounds like the US is heading towards the nanny state that we have to put up with here in the UK. I hate to think what laws I’ve broken by not being a US resident and using a service like 23andMe if those of you over there can’t even query your own DNA without a Doctor’s note. I have no idea whether that same law applies in the UK.

For what its worth, 23andMe go to very great lengths to make you understand that the information they provide is not for diagnosis and is for personal use only. They outline very clearly both the reliability of research on their site (group size, replicated elsewhere, etc) and I think do a good job of pointing out that genetics is only part of the picture and the environment, and other things play a part too.

If after all of this you’re still going to self diagnose based on the results then you’re probably talking about the crowd that already self-medicate and think a minor patch of eczema is necrotizing fasciitis! Creating laws to stop you analysing your own DNA is not going to help manage that.

Navigenics, 23andMe, and others also have in-house genetic counselors for further interpretation. Regulation is needed, but not the kind described with this C&D letter. Medical doctors are not the proper channel for this information.

As for advertising conspiracies to target your desires based on your genetics, I can assure you that scientists in this field are extremely diligent to prevent such occurrences. Myself being one of them. Even in the face of investors/share holders.

Anon., Ph.D.

I just started a blog about personal genomics, because in fact I think lots of people need to be more aware of several important questions about genetic testing… and also because there is some fun about it. For example: could the whole information included in my genome be recorded on my iPod? If you’d like to know the answer:

http://www.pers...s.wordpress.com

However, on a legal point of view, as usual, countries are far behind the Internet. But some countries are more strict than other ones. Take that example:

In some european countries, it is legal to perform analysis on your own genome. BUT, it is *illegal* to go with your data to negotiate with your bank or your insurance company a lower mortgage for example.

I don’t think the debate should be “is it wrong or is it wright to perform DNA analysis?” but rather “In what conditions is it a benefit to get that information?”. The aim should be helping healthcare, not Gatacaing.

It’s fine to have lab testing be done in certified labs, and to clamp down on false advertising. But that’s not the real issue. The key issue is choice – is the choice over how to find out about and interpret your own DNA yours or someone else’s?

You have the option of whether and when to use a travel agent or a real estate agent or a OB/GYN, whether or not you also book travel online, negotiate a real estate transfer, or take a home pregnancy test kit. Buying and interpreting a DNA test is logically equivalent.

Time for a ballot initiative?