Pitfalls of Genetic Testing

Abstract

Genes have become the preferred way to explain all types of ill health and unwanted behavior. Some of the attributions seem fairly clear-cut, but many are being embraced uncritically and oversold. This situation can be troubling for clinicians, as well as for the general public. It is often hard to be sure that genes do account for someone's complex condition, such as circulatory problems or cancer. But even when such an association seems fairly clear, it is hard to know what practical conclusions to draw. Unfortunately, many of these uncertainties arise from the way genes function, not just from shortcomings . . .