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The British government has published a set of voluntary guidelines setting out the conditions — including commitments to quality, confidentiality and the counselling of customers — that it expects companies selling genetic tests directly to the public to comply with.

The guidelines have been drawn up by the Department of Health's Advisory Committee on Genetic Testing. The committee's chairman, Marcus Pembrey, professor of paediatric genetics at the Institute of Child Health in London, said last week that a voluntary code was considered preferable to legally enforceable regulations.

Two British companies, University Diagnostics Limited and Leeds Anti-natal Screening Services, offer mail-order tests for cystic fibrosis mutations to potential parents, with all other forms of genetic testing taking place through the National Health Service. But the number of companies involved is expected to increase in the next few years, as is the range of tests on offer.

Tessa Jowell, the public health minister, said last week that the government hoped that all such companies would agree to follow the guidelines as this would ensure that “such services are available without need for more formal controls”. One requirement is that all testing laboratories would be accredited by a recognized body.