RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Regulating the advertising of genetic tests in Europe: a balancing act JF Journal of Medical Genetics JO J Med Genet FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 651 OP 656 DO 10.1136/jmedgenet-2017-104531 VO 54 IS 10 A1 Louiza Kalokairinou A1 Pascal Borry A1 Heidi Carmen Howard YR 2017 UL http://jmg.bmj.com/content/54/10/651.abstract AB Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests (GT) have provoked criticism over their potential adverse impact on public health. The European Parliament called for a ban on DTC advertising of GT during the debate for the adoption of a European Regulation on in vitro diagnostic medical devices. This proposal, however, was not ultimately retained in the final text. Instead, the regulation includes an article prohibiting misleading claims for this kind of advertising. These two different approaches raise questions about the optimal degree of regulation. Herein, we provide an overview of the ways GT have been advertised and related ethical issues. Subsequently, the laws regulating the advertising of GT at the European Union and national level are examined. Finally, recent regulatory developments are discussed.