Canada's first private genetic testing clinic “highly problematic”: geneticist

Canada's first private genetic testing centre, which offers paying customers a profile of their predisposition to diseases such as cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease, is drawing fire from geneticists.

For about $1500, the Saskatoon GenoCentre will test people for a variety of hereditary diseases that have a genetic component. Genometrics Corporation, the bioinformatics company behind it, hopes to open similar centres worldwide over the next 3 years.

Critics say the clinic takes advantage of the public's lack of understanding about the risks, benefits and limitations of genetic science. The private clinic is “highly problematic,” says Vancouver geneticist Patricia Baird.

“I think this is a clarion call for provincial and federal governments to get together to work out policies that will protect people from exploitation,” says Baird, who chaired the 1993 Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies. “Genetic testing needs to be offered in a nonprofit situation, so it's used only where it will bring clear benefit — not simply profit.”

Dr. Srini Chary, the lone physician at the GenoCentre, says he understands concerns about privatization, but defends the company. “Because of limited funding and resources in the public system, it cannot necessarily keep pace,” says Chary, who also serves as medical director of palliative care for the Saskatoon District Health. “Governments at the provincial and federal level have a role to play, but if [we] waited for them, it could be a long [wait].”

Saskatchewan's only medical geneticist, Dr. Edmond Lemire, questions whether it is right to charge people for genetic screening for many conditions that have no proven treatment, and also points out that the testing centre does not have an accredited geneticist on staff.