Method for increasing utilization of genetic testing

Abstract

This invention describes a method and site for providing genetic testing using the Internet which enables individuals to access genetic testing as well as methods that ensure privacy in the selection of genetic tests, payment, performance of tests, delivery of results, interpretation of results, and genetic counseling. These methods will increase the utilization of genetic testing by individuals.

1 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method of providing genetic testing services to an individual which is directly accessible by said individual through a computer interface, said method comprising
 (i) posting a list of genetic tests which can be run on a biological sample from said individual;   (ii) providing first information concerning each of said genetic tests on said list;   (iii) providing a mechanism for said individual to directly select at least one of said genetic tests by private communication through the computer interface without intermediation of a healthcare provider, wherein the genetic test selected by said individual is performed on a biological sample and a result of said selected genetic test is obtained;   (iv) displaying the result of said selected genetic test in readable form;   (v) providing second information to assist in interpreting said result of said selected genetic test; and   (vi) providing third information to provide genetic counseling relating to the result of said selected genetic test;   wherein said individual has direct access to each of said first information, second information, and third information without the intermediation of a health care professional;   wherein said computer interface capable of executing a communication program, and providing information necessary for providing the genetic testing services, without intermediation of a healthcare provider; and   wherein said individual is a non-healthcare professional.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said method of providing genetic testing services is through an internet address. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said mechanism for selecting further comprising a mechanism for payment for said genetic test. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising a step of posting on said internet address a result of said genetic test. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said result is accessible by said individual. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said internet address is protected by a password. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said mechanism for selecting further comprising a mechanism for said individual to provide informed consent for said genetic test. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said list of genetic tests comprises one or more types of genetic tests selected from the group consisting of genetic tests for diagnosing a genetic disease, genetic tests determinative of multifactorial disease propensity, and genetic tests predictive of a therapeutic drug response. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said mechanism for selecting is accessible and performable by said individual. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said mechanism for selecting further comprising a mechanism for payment for said genetic test. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising a step of posting on said internet address a result of said genetic test selected. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein said result is accessible by said individual. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein said internet address is protected by a password. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20  wherein said mechanism for selecting further comprising a mechanism for said individual to provide informed consent for said genetic test. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said list of genetic tests comprises one or more types of genetic tests selected from the group consisting of genetic tests for diagnosing a genetic disease, genetic tests determinative of multifactorial disease propensity, and genetic tests predicative of a therapeutic drug response. 
     
     
         27 . A method of providing genetic testing services to an individual through a password protected computer interface that is directly accessible by said individual, in an integrated manner, the method comprising:
 (i) posting a list of genetic tests which can be run on a biological sample from said individual;   (ii) providing first information concerning each of said genetic tests on said list;   (iii) providing a mechanism for said individual to directly select at least one of said genetic tests by private communication without intermediation of a healthcare provider, wherein the genetic test selected by said individual is performed on a biological sample and a result of said selected genetic test is obtained, said mechanism accessible and performable by said individual, and said mechanism including a means for payment for said genetic tests and a mechanism for said individual to provide informed consent for said genetic test;   (iv) displaying the result of said selected genetic test in readable form, said result being accessible by said individual;   (v) providing second information to assist in interpreting the result of said selected genetic test; and   (vi) providing third information to provide genetic counseling relating to the result of said selected genetic test;   wherein said individual has direct access to each of said first information, second information, and third information and said result of said selected genetic test without the intermediation of a health care professional; and   wherein said individual is a non-healthcare professional.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein said list of genetic tests comprises one or more types of genetic tests selected from the group consisting of genetic tests for diagnosing a genetic disease, genetic tests determinative of multifactorial disease propensity, and genetic tests predictive of a therapeutic drug response. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said providing genetic testing services is accessible through a URL (Universal Record Locator). 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said providing genetic testing services comprises private communication over the internet. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein said private communication over the internet comprises email. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said method is provided on an internet address and said result is also provided by email. 
     
     
         33 . A method of providing genetic testing services to an individual comprising
 (a) providing to said individual through private communication from a server to the individual
 (i) a list of genetic tests which can be run on a biological sample from said individual; 
 (ii) first information concerning each of said genetic tests on said list; 
 (iii) a mechanism for said individual to directly select at least one of said genetic tests; 
   (b) wherein upon selection of the genetic test by said individual, the server orders from a genetic testing service the performing of said selected genetic test on said sample   (c) providing to said individual through private communication from a server
 (i) the result of said selected genetic test in readable form; 
 (ii) second information to assist in interpreting said result of said selected genetic test; and 
 (iii) third information to provide genetic counseling relating to the result of said selected genetic test; 
   wherein said individual directly accesses each of said first information, second information, and third information without the intermediation of a health care professional; and   wherein said individual is a non-healthcare professional.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , comprising
 (a) procuring from said individual a biological sample for genetic testing   (b) providing to said individual through private communication from a server to the individual
 (i) a list of genetic tests which can be run on said biological sample from said individual; 
 (ii) first information concerning each of said genetic tests on said list; 
 (iii) a mechanism for said individual to directly select at least one of said genetic tests; 
   (c) wherein upon selection of the genetic test by said individual, the server orders from a genetic testing service the performing of said selected genetic test on said sample   (d) providing to said individual through private communication from the server
 (i) the result of said selected genetic test in readable form; 
 (ii) second information to assist in interpreting said result of said selected genetic test; and 
 (iii) third information to provide genetic counseling relating to the result of said selected genetic test; 
   wherein said individual directly accesses each of said first information, second information, and third information without the intermediation of a health care professional; and   wherein said individual is a non-healthcare professional.   
     
     
         35 . A method of providing genetic testing services to an individual comprising
 (a) detecting the presence of said individual by entry of a password on a computer   (b) providing through private communication from a server to the individual on the computer
 (i) a list of genetic tests which can be run on a biological sample from said individual; 
 (ii) first information concerning each of said genetic tests on said list; 
 (iii) a mechanism for said individual to directly select at least one of said genetic tests 
 (iv) a mechanism for payment for said genetic tests; and 
 (v) a mechanism for said individual to provide informed consent for said genetic test; 
   (c) wherein upon selection of the genetic test by said individual, the provision of said payment, and provision of said informed consent, said server orders from a genetic testing service the performing of said selected genetic test on said sample   (d) providing through private communication from a server to the individual on the computer
 (i) the result of said selected genetic test in readable form; 
 (ii) second information to assist in interpreting the result of said selected genetic test; and 
 (iii) third information to provide genetic counseling relating to the result of said selected genetic test; 
   wherein said individual has direct access to each of said first information, second information, and third information and said result of said selected genetic test without the intermediation of a health care professional; and   wherein said individual is a non-healthcare professional.