June 11, 2009 Genetic testing without a doctor's referral Play video

(NECN: Latoyia Edwards) - Think about this conference as the ultimate self-serve menu for any type of genetic testing you want. Identigene sells over the counter paternity tests.

Interleukin is promising to unlock your genetic risk of heart, dental, and dietary diseases.

“We have tests that can help people understand how they best can lose weight and keep it off."

And Knome says it literally gives you the key to assess your risk of 1500 genetic illnesses.

"Almost all of us are some carriers of some really horrible things so it makes a lot of sense to know whether you are a carrier."

The consumer genetics conference held at Boston’s Hynes Convention Center is an unusual hybrid of trade show and academic event.

People interested in receiving genetic testing without a doctor's referral are directly connected with the scientists and CEO’s who have developed the DNA testing.

While patients may be excited about being able to independently assess their genetic risk to certain illnesses may of their doctors have serious concerns about this new technology.

Dr Greene: "Most medical experts say that the genetics tests available directly to consumers is not something that will be helpful for day to day health"

Doctor Robert Greene is a geneticist and professor at Boston University.

He supports the testing, but says skeptics are rightfully slow to endorse direct consumer genetic testing.

The caution here

is that such information right now at this point does not afford real information that changes your risk. And we don't know how people are going to use it whether its going to beneficial or even be harmful in the sense they would get unnecessary tests or become anxious.

The CEO of Massachusetts-based Interleukin says he's not looking to step on any toes.

"We augment the physician we are not trying to replace the physician in anyway."

Interleukin and many other genetic testing companies offer genetic counselors to make sense of the results.

Most of the tests are simple to use--a swipe of a swab on the inner cheek and then off to the lab--but its an important to know that most of the direct consumer genetic tests are not covered by health insurance.

For example-- Identigene sells its paternity test at pharmacies for 30 dollars and charges 120 dollars for lab results.

This is a piece of mind test and what that means is a customer who

Wants to know who have a burning question about is he my father or is she my child"

Interleukin's DNA tests cost 149-dollars each.

Knome's-- head to toe testing ranges from 19,500 to 99,500. "Most of our customers have to be extremely wealthy."

Included in that 99,000 dollar fee is a genome key of the customers DNA that literally self- destructs if ever tampered with or stolen.

For all its innovations, direct consumer genetic testing is still a relatively new science. Lacking the research to prove without doubt that its more helpful than harmful.