Genetic Testing: Markets and Users in Medical, Forensic, Paternity, and Food Safety Applications

Genetic testing is already in widespread use and will continue to grow in many application areas in the next five years. The number of companies offering genetic testing services and/or commercial genetic testing products continues to grow around the world. There are at least 50 companies offering genetic testing services or commercial products for a genetic test in medical, GMO food safety, forensics, and paternity applications.

In the area of medical genetics, tests and services can vary by disease. Under the category of "medical genetics" there is screening for genetic disease and susceptibility and the emerging fields of pharmacogenomics and OTC (or direct-to-consumer) tests in the areas of nutrition and alcoholism. Much of the growth in genetically modified organism (GMO) testing, forensic DNA testing, and paternity testing is due to new industry regulation and legal proceedings. Regulations, patents, costs, and ease of use of a technology are all forces that drive the development of genetic testing application markets.

This study used a survey tool to track end-user attitudes and understand the basis of competition for these testing products and services.

Scope and Methodology

This report focuses on genetic testing application markets in worldwide with a particular emphasis on markets in the United States. Information has been collected from numerous industry, government, and academic sources. In addition to interviewing industry participants and conducting exhaustive literature reviews, this study used a survey tool to track end-user attitudes and understand the basis of competition for these testing products and services.

For this discussion, the genetic testing application markets are divided into segments by applications.

• Medical genetics
  • inherited diseases
  • direct-to-consumer, and
  • pharmacogenetics/pharmacogenomics

• Forensics
• Paternity
• Genetically modified organism (GMO) testing

The report provides market size and growth for the various genetic testing applications; identifies and discusses clinical, regulatory, and business trends; and profiles more than 25 industry participants.