Despite criticism the University of California Berkeley is sticking to its plan to offer incoming freshmen and transfer students a genetic test as part of the orientation experience. In the past the University’s “on the same page” program required studnets to read the same book. This year, they can get their DNA tested for three genes for tolerance of alcohol, folate and lactose. The test would be followed up by lectures  and seminars on genetics and personalised medicine. Professors were encouraged to incorporate material on genetics into their courses.

The program is voluntary and confidential. Each freshman will reveive two bar code labels, one to place on the sample and one to keep. After the genotyping is complete, the results will be posted on a Web site using the bar code identification. Only the student can access the information.

A number of bioethicists objected. “It’s a bad precedent to set up mass testing without some sort of counseling support,” said Arthur Caplan, director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania. “I’d rather people get their results in a medical setting, where they can ask questions about the error rate or the chances of passing it on to their children, and not just see it posted on some Web site.”

Others were sceptical about how private the tests really are or whether peer pressure mihgt add an element of coercion.

Some critics pointed to commercial involvement. Originally four students were to have been awarded a full genetic analysis donated by 23andMe, a genetic testing firm, as a prize for the best essays or art relating to personalised medicine. This was dropped in favour of a cash prize to avoid the appearance of endorsing direct to consumer medicine.

Berkeley is convinced that it is on the right track. “In the decade ahead, the new genetics is going to penetrate everyday medical practice,” Mark Schlissel, dean of biology told the New York Times. “We wanted to give students a sense of what’s coming, through genes that can provide them with useful information. I think it’s one of the best things we’ve done in years.” ~ Inside Higher Education, May 28