Direct to Consumer Test Results

Direct to consumer (DTC) genetic testing refers to genetic testing provided by a commercial laboratory, without the requirement for a consultation with a health professional. It is typically procured by healthy individuals.

Current policy in all Clinical Genetic Services in NHS Scotland is not to interpret Direct to Consumer Tests. A joint statement from the Royal College of General Practice and the British Society of Genetic Medicine is available via the link below.

Data from Direct to Consumer Testing organisations is typically analysed against an extensive database which trawls both the medical scientific literature and other (non-peer reviewed) online sources for any association with traits and diseases. These links may be incidental (linked by chance) and based on wrong SNP calling or poor science. Our genetic service, in common with services in the rest of the UK, does not support such testing.

For Clinical Genetics Services to provide an effective diagnostic service there needs to be a specific patient phenotype or family history to guide testing and interpretation. Patients presenting with DTC results to their GP should be offered usual NHS care: family history and risk assessment, with onward referral and testing as per standard NHS pathways and protocols. Results from DTC testing should be signposted to the commercial DTC provider.

Other useful sources of information on DTC genetic testing are available via the link below.