A clinical genetics perspective on direct-to-consumer genetic testing

Rachel’s talk looks at some of the key differences between NHS-provided genetic testing, and various direct-to-consumer genetic tests. She highlights how a genetic result might have different meaning depending on the clinical context that led to having testing, and the testing approach used. She explores some of the consequences that this can create for people buying direct-to-consumer genetic tests, and for the NHS. Dr Rachel Horton is a clinical genetics registrar in Southampton. She is doing a PhD with the Clinical Ethics, Law and Society group at Oxford, examining the construction of ‘results’ from a starting point of the entire genetic code. This talk was recorded at our event ‘Direct-to-Consumer Medical Testing: Exploring Opportunities & Challenges’ which took place at St Anne’s College, University of Oxford on Tuesday 5th May 2026.