California Regulators Ask Genetic Testing Services To Prove Compliance
On Monday, a Department of Public Health spokesperson said the agency has sent 13 cease-and-desist letters to companies that offer genetic testing services to consumers, the AP/San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Lea Brooks, a DPH spokesperson, said all 13 companies have two weeks to prove to regulators that their laboratories are certified by federal and state governments and that they are selling tests ordered by physicians, as required by state law.
The firms scan DNA samples from customers for potential indicators of health risks, including cancer and lower back pain. Most of the companies are largely Internet-based operations.
The companies face fines of up to $3,000 per day, the AP/Chronicle reports.
Navigencis, one of the companies notified by DPH regulators, said it believed it was in full compliance with the law and it will be submitting details on its certifications. The company said its tests were ordered and reviewed by physicians (Wohlsen, AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 6/16).