• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.34.1-34.3
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• 2019

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing is a controversial issue although Korean Government is considering to expand DTC genetic testing. Preventing the exaggeration and abusing of DTC genetic testing is an important task considering the early history of DTC genetic testing in Korea. And the DTC genetic testing performance or method has been rarely reported to the scientific and/or medical community and reliability of DTC genetic testing needs to be assessed. Law enforcement needs to improve these issues. Also principle of transparency needs to be applied.

• 디지털융복합연구
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• 제17권7호
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• pp.167-177
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• 2019

최근 유전자분석은 기술 진보와 대중화를 통해 소비자가 의료기관을 거치지 않고 직접 구매할 수 있는 소비자의뢰 유전자검사 시장으로까지 확대되고 있지만, 2016년부터 허용된 우리나라의 소비자의뢰 유전자검사 시장은 여전히 도입기에 머물러 있는 상태이다. 본 연구의 목적은 소비자의뢰 유전자검사 시장 및 서비스 확대를 위하여 구매의도 및 목적에 영향을 미치는 요인들을 밝혀보고자 하는 것이다. 이를 위해 일반국민을 대상으로 설문조사를 실시하였고, 이를 바탕으로 이항 및 다항로짓 회귀모형을 적용하여 분석을 시도하였다. 그 결과, 구매의도에 유의한 영향 미치는 변수로는 사용경험에 기반을 둔 지식, 치료 유익에 대한 긍정적 태도, 개인의 건강상태 등으로 나타났다. 구매목적은 연령대에 따라 차이가 존재하지만 치료목적이 더욱 두드러진 것으로 파악되었다. 특히, 검사결과에 대한 소비자만족도 향상을 통해 재구매 또는 효과적인 치료 및 건강관리와 연계할 수 있는 서비스의 개발이 필요하다. 본 연구는 향후 소비자의뢰 유전자검사 제품 개발의 전략적 방향설정에 기여할 것으로 기대된다.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.1-5
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• 2007

Unprecedented amount of genetic information being generated from the result of Human Genome Project (HGP) and advances in genetic research is already forcing changes in the paradigm of health and disease. The ultimate goal of genetic medicine is to use genetic information and technology to develop new ways of treatment or even prevention of the disease on an individual level for 'personalized medicine'. Genetics is play ing an increasingly important role in the diagnosis, monitoring and management of common multifactorial diseases in addition to rare single-gene disorders. While wide range of genetic testing have provided benefits to patients and family, uncertainties surrounding test interpretation, the current lack of available medical options for the diseases, and risks for discrimination and social stigmatization may remain to be resolved. However an increasing number of genetic tests are becoming commercially available, including direct to consumer genetic testing, yet public is often unaw are of their clinical and social implications. The personal nature of information generated by a genetic test, its power to affect major life decisions and family members, and its potential misuse raise important ethical considerations. Therefore appropriate genetic counseling is needed for patient to be informed with the benefits, limitations and risks of genetic tests, prior to informed consent for the tests. Physician also should be familiar with the legal and ethical issues involved in genetic testing to tell patients how w ell a particular genetic risk factor relates with likelihood of disease, and be able to provide appropriate genetic counseling. Genetic counseling become a mandatory requirement as global standard for many genetic testing such as prenatal diagnosis, presymtomatic DNA diagnostic tests and cancer susceptibility gene test for familial cancer syndrome. In oder to meet the challenge of genetic medicine of 21 century in korean health care system, professional education program and certification board for medical genetics specialist including non-MD genetic counselors should be addressed by medical society and regulatory policy of national health insurance reimbursement for genetic counseling to be in place to promote the implementation of clinical genetic service including genetic counseling for proper genetic testing.