Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Nolan and Ormondroyd’s systematic review published on 30 March in Clinical Genetics, setting out the consequences for consumers and health services of direct-to-consumer genetic testing and how it relates to equitable healthcare; and what assessment they have made of the regulation of direct-to-consumer genetic testing.

Whilst no specific assessment has been made of Nolan and Ormondroyd’s systematic review published in March 2023 or Emma Wilkinson’s article published in October 2022, the Government recognises both the opportunities and risks raised by direct-to-consumer genomic tests and is committed to ensuring effective and proportionate regulation.

In consideration of the regulation of direct-to-consumer genetic and health testing, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is working to develop a robust, world-leading regulatory regime for such medical devices that prioritises patient safety.