The college wants genetic counselors to work with doctors when ordering genetic tests, but not all medical geneticists agree the stance is good for patients.
In an interview, Marilyn Li and Douglas Stewart discuss why ACMG has put forth points that doctors and labs should consider when presumed germline findings crop up in tumor testing.
The bipartisan bill is backed by more than 250 organizations, but ACMG remains opposed, arguing that ordering tests is part of the practice of medicine.
Absent sufficient evidence to support genetic testing for all patients, the group recommended following existing guidelines, which are based on clinical factors.
The genetic disease risk test, which covers 59 genes endorsed by ACMG, is offered through the Helix marketplace and includes genetic counseling services.
Research presented at ACMG by Invitae suggests that clinically actionable variants in cancer patients are missed by germline testing that is not done with expanded panels.
