DTC基因检测的伦理思考

Ethics Thinking on Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing

直接面向消费者提供基因检测服务称为Direct-to-Consumer(DTC)基因检测。随着人类基因组计划测序工作的完成,DTC基因检测服务行业逐渐发展起来,它的出现与人们日益提高的健康需要相适应。但与此同时,一些社会伦理和法律问题也随之产生。对DTC基因检测的现状以及各国对其认可度进行阐述,剖析DTC基因检测存在的伦理问题,如隐私问题,有限的预测价值,检测信息的准确性,检测结果对受试者造成的负面心理影响,以及由此产生的基因歧视和卫生保健资源的浪费等。

Direct-to-Consumer（DTC） genetic testing means to provide genetic testing services to customers directly. With the completion of Human Genome Project, gene detection service, an emerging industry, develops gradually. Gene detec- tion suits to people＇s increasing heahh needs. But at the same time, it has raised a variety of social, ethical, and law issues associated with this emerging industry. This article elaborates the status of DTC gene detection as well as its national recognition, and analyzes the ethical issues of the DTC genetic testing： privacy issues, limited predictive value, ensuring that DTC companies provide accurate information, the negative psychological impact of DTC genetic testing on subjects and the resulting genetic discrimination as well as health care resources waste.