Press Release: Statement by the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies on advertising genetic tests via the Internet

The purpose of this statement is to alert civil society and decision-makers to the problems raised by advertising of genetic tests via the internet. There is a proliferation of internet-based offers of genetic tests aimed especially at establishing fatherhood as well as tests for predisposition to several diseases - heart disease and diabetes for example. Advertising is getting increasingly aggressive and pervasive - even in Europe; in some countries it can even be found in popular chain stores, service stations, highway restaurants and on television.