Gene tests claiming to measure a person’s risk of developing intractable diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s are being rushed to market even though studies to prove they benefit patients have not been done, researchers told a meeting on genomics and public health held by the Royal College of Physicians in London.

The tests differ from those…which generally look for single gene mutations known to cause disease, such as cystic fibrosis. The new tests are being developed to look for sets of genes scientists have linked, often tenuously, to a person’s susceptibility to disease.

Muin Khoury, director of genomics and disease prevention at the prestigious Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, told the meeting: “There are more than 1,000 genetic tests on the market now, with many available over the internet, but suffice it to say we have no idea whether they are of any value.” In many cases, a person’s family history was a better indicator of future disease, he said.

As long as you’re not directly being killed by some of the crap sold by snake oil hustlers, our government doesn’t give a damn. There are advertisements bombarding the public every day making outrageous claims — and that’s OK with the FCC. They have important stuff to do — like make the world safe for digital rights management.