§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations have been received from consumers and patient organisations as part of the HGC consultation on regulation of genetic testing services supplied direct to the public; and whether these organisations favoured(a) statutory regulation and (b) a voluntary industry code; [85203]
(2) how many responses the HGC received during their consultation on the regulation of genetic testing services supplied direct to the public; and how many were in favour of (a) no action being taken, (b) a voluntary code being established, (c) a code plus statutory restrictions and (d) statutory restrictions; [85206]
(3) when the HGC will be making recommendations to Government as a result of the consultation on regulation of genetic testing services supplied direct to the public; [85207]
(4) if he will place in the Library the responses of the (a) Advertising Standards Agency, (b) British Embassies from Canada, Holland, Japan and the US, (c) DTI Policy Advisor on Internet Regulation, (d) Information Commissioner, (e) Medical Devices Agency, (f) Medical Research Council and (g) Occupational Health Advisory Committee to the HGC consultation on genetic testing. [85205]
§ Ms BlearsThe Human Genetics Commission (HGC) consultation on genetic testing services supplied direct to the public closed in October 2002. HGC is analysing the responses and is conducting additional public surveys. HGC plans to publish its report and recommendations to Ministers early in 2003. It will also 785W publish all of the non-confidential responses received during consultation and copies will be placed in the Library.
HGC has now received written responses from 42 organisations and 22 individuals. Approximately 14 written responses and four oral evidence sessions were from consumer and patient groups. Of these, six favoured statutory regulation for at least some tests and three favoured voluntary codes. Of the written responses from all sources that expressed a view, none favoured no action, 11 favoured voluntary codes for some types of tests, 24 favoured a mixture of voluntary codes and statutory restrictions and 13 favoured statutory restrictions for some types of test.