Abstract
Following the completion of human genome project, various genetic tests have been applied to diagnosis of hereditary diseases and to prediction of diseases including the common diseases. Since the most genetic tests for human diseases are home-brewed, these are not standardized. Although CDC proposed the ACCE model for the evaluation of genetic tests, there is no such system in Japan.
Regarding the roles of genetic tests in health evaluation and promotion, genetic tests cannot predict the common diseases. Many genes are involved in the onset of common disease. Therefore, it is difficult to predict the diseases even with a combination of many tests.
Genetic tests are not determined to be useful for prediction of common diseases and traits. However, Direct-to-consumer genetic tests are available via internet, which may cause serious problems. What is needed now is to study the clinical validity and utility by using the genetic tests whose analytical validity is assured.
At present, genetic tests are not ready for health evaluation and promotion.
