Visit our website
New America Cypbersecurity Initiative
New America Cypbersecurity Initiative
MIT Technology Review
MIT Technology Review
io9
io9
Techdirt
Techdirt
Knowledge@Wharton
Knowledge@Wharton
Bioscience Technology
Bioscience Technology
redOrbit
redOrbit
Technology & Marketing Law Blog
Technology & Marketing Law Blog
Popular Science Blog
Popular Science Blog
Pew Research Center
Pew Research Center
Genomics Law Report
Genomics Law Report
Science 2.0
Science 2.0
The Guardian Headquarters
The Guardian Headquarters
Genetic Literacy Project
Genetic Literacy Project
Disclaimer

Statements posted on this blog represent the views of individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Center for Law Science & Innovation (which does not take positions on policy issues) or of the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law or Arizona State University.

LSI Faculty Fellow, Bowman et al., on Personalized Medicine & DTC Testing

Diana Bowman

Diana Bowman

Associate Professor of Law / Faculty Fellow, LSI

In a paper titled Decoupling knowledge and expertise in personalized medicine who will fill the gap? Bowman et al., discuss the issues emanating from the field of direct-to-consumer testing (DTC) — where consumers have access to health tests and results without a physician order.  In certain states, like Arizona, any test may be directly obtained by a consumer as long as it is provided by a certified lab.  The article explores the potential benefits and pitfalls of DTC generally: in terms of patient autonomy, empowerment and responsibility, the opportunity is extraordinary.  On the other hand, consumer understanding, interpretation and reliability of the available DTC tests is a big issue — just take a look at Theranos‘ fall from grace.   As such services become more and more widespread, ensuring the ultimate outcome is better health, is key.