The NIH is creating a public database that researchers, consumers, healthcare providers, and others can use to search for information submitted voluntarily by genetic test providers. The Genetic Testing Registry aims to enhance access to information about the availability, validity, and usefulness of genetic tests.
Currently, more than 1,600 genetic tests are available to patients and consumers (but not at WalGreens), but there is no single public resource that provides detailed information about them. The Genetic Testing Registry is intended to fill that gap.
The registry project will be overseen by the NIH Office of the Director. The National Center for Biotechnology Information, part of the National Library of Medicine at NIH, will be responsible for developing the registry, which is expected to be available in 2011.
(Psst -- just don't tell the FDA.)