What Happens After People Undergo Direct-to-Consumer Genomic Testing?

We now can learn about our DNA through direct-to-consumer (DTC) personal genomic testing. U.S. researchers assessed the perceptions of 1042 individuals who underwent such testing through either 23andMe or Pathway Genomics. Participants were recruited online and completed baseline surveys and follow-up surveys at 6 months.

Among participants, a higher proportion had annual family income <US$40,000 than ≥$200,000 (16% vs. 12%). Fifty-six percent of respondents planned to discuss the results with their primary care providers (PCPs); however, at 6 months, 65% had not shared their results with any clinician. Among individuals who had not discussed the results with any clinician, a minority (9%) had concerns about the results becoming a part of th…