certain 339.cer.00 Louis J. Sheehan, Esquire

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Direct to Consumer Genetic Testing

Introduction

Perhaps someday Harrisburg University of Science and Technology will grant – and perhaps the first to grant -- a degree in ‘Biological Prognostication’ by use of genetic testing? Between now and then, however, it is worth considering the ethics of marketing such tests and representing that commercial genetic testing can foretell the development of maladies. I was and am generally aware of science fiction stories and movies involving genetic testing -- and even manipulation -- and the subsequent categorization of people as a result of same. More recently, I have seen media references to pre-natal genetic testing, as well as advertisements for genetics-based ‘ancestry’ tracing and even for-profit tests which purport to predict the likelihood of the development of certain genetically-based weaknesses. I doubt real-world humans will be able to keep this genie in its bottle and, therefore, I am comfortable with my assumption that this industry will be with us as long as civilization survives. I‘m attracted to this field as it seems to be a growing industry requiring advanced skills (and thus, hopefully, less boredom) and affording premium remuneration with at least some potential of being a particularly beneficial service to others. However, I was also generally aware that there were licensing issues vis-à-vis the state of California which involved the tests’ accuracy and, implicitly, the ethics revolving around any such open questions.