Public interest and expectations concerning commercial genotyping and genetic risk assessment
In contrast to the modest progress in interpretation and clinical application of genomic data, genotyping technologies have experienced great progress. Genotyping costs are progressively decreasing which makes individual genotyping more commonly available. Financial availability of the individual’s genome analysis and the strong desire of many people to know about their individual genomic characteristics promotes marketing of genetic tests of variable predictive value directly to the public. A survey of 2000 Russian respondents revealed very positive attitudes and beliefs towards these genetic developments: 85% of people would like to estimate the genetic risk for avoidable diseases and 89% of surveyed people responded they would they try to change their lifestyle by giving up bad habits, following a recommended diet, or taking medications if a high risk of disease were identified. It is believed that with time, validated genetic information will find its right place in medicine, by supplementing phenotypic clinical data with validated genetic interpretations.
