Marketing on fear: Why worry? Get tested and be certain

A growing number of diagnostic labs are marketing their services to the general public. If you are concerned you might be genetically predisposed to illness, you may want to use their services.

Supporters of direct-to-consumer testing claim that omitting a medical middleman (doctor) makes patients more informed and thus empowered. Opponents argue that the commoditisation of health information only strengthens the demand based on unfounded anxieties.