TY - JOUR

T1 - Health-Related Genetic Direct-to-Consumer Tests in the German Setting

T2 - The Available Offer and the Potential Implications for a Solidarily Financed Health-Care System

AU - Plöthner, Marika

AU - Klora, Mike

AU - Rudolph, Daniel

AU - Graf Von Der Schulenburg, Johann Matthias

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel. All rights reserved. Copyright: Copyright 2018 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

PY - 2017/11

Y1 - 2017/11

N2 - Background: The global genetic direct-to-consumer (DTC) market will reach a volume of USD 230 billion in 2018. The expenditures for this genetic analysis are borne by the customer, whereas consequential costs may arise for a solidarily financed system. In a first step, it is essential to gain an overview of the currently available offer in the German setting. Methods: In April 2016, we conducted a systematic internet search in the Google search engine. In November 2016, we updated the information of the webpages in terms of country, language, types of health-related tests, additional offer of non-health-related DTC test, information about sensitivity and specificity, certification and accreditation, costs as well as reference to German Act on Genetic Testing. Results: Thirty-five webpages were included in the final overview. A plurality of different predictive analysis options was identified. Price information was not available for all offered genetic analyses. Costs for predictive analysis in one disease vary between EUR 90 and 990, for predictive package analysis between EUR 232.18 and 375, and for genetic lifestyle analysis between EUR 84.55 and 570.20. Conclusions: Genetic results may lead to uncertainty and anxiety; therefore, subsequent costs for a solidarily financed system may arise. Genetic DTC tests may have an influence on different players on the micro-, meso- and macro-levels, which may have a cost-cutting or cost-increasing effect on health-care expenditures. The increased interest in genetic analysis as well as the possibility of worldwide internet-based access to genetic tests requires population-wide education.

AB - Background: The global genetic direct-to-consumer (DTC) market will reach a volume of USD 230 billion in 2018. The expenditures for this genetic analysis are borne by the customer, whereas consequential costs may arise for a solidarily financed system. In a first step, it is essential to gain an overview of the currently available offer in the German setting. Methods: In April 2016, we conducted a systematic internet search in the Google search engine. In November 2016, we updated the information of the webpages in terms of country, language, types of health-related tests, additional offer of non-health-related DTC test, information about sensitivity and specificity, certification and accreditation, costs as well as reference to German Act on Genetic Testing. Results: Thirty-five webpages were included in the final overview. A plurality of different predictive analysis options was identified. Price information was not available for all offered genetic analyses. Costs for predictive analysis in one disease vary between EUR 90 and 990, for predictive package analysis between EUR 232.18 and 375, and for genetic lifestyle analysis between EUR 84.55 and 570.20. Conclusions: Genetic results may lead to uncertainty and anxiety; therefore, subsequent costs for a solidarily financed system may arise. Genetic DTC tests may have an influence on different players on the micro-, meso- and macro-levels, which may have a cost-cutting or cost-increasing effect on health-care expenditures. The increased interest in genetic analysis as well as the possibility of worldwide internet-based access to genetic tests requires population-wide education.

KW - Direct-to-consumer genetic testing

KW - Germany

KW - Health-care system

KW - Health-related offer

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85021105897&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1159/000477559

DO - 10.1159/000477559

M3 - Article

C2 - 28641282

AN - SCOPUS:85021105897

VL - 20

SP - 203

EP - 217

JO - Public health genomics

JF - Public health genomics

SN - 1662-4246

IS - 4

ER -