The demand for new genetic tests and genetic services is growing exponentially, largely because they are more readily available and affordable than ever before. In addition, genetic testing can now be used for both rare and common conditions.¹ Requests for genetic tests and related services are increasing for chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, developmental delay, dysmorphic features, neurological disorders (e.g., neonatal seizures), and eye diseases (e.g., retinoblastoma).

In 2012, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Genome Canada announced a $65 million program to support research projects in the fields of genomics and personalized medicine. This could result in the development of new genetic tests for Canadians.²

Which health professionals are ordering genetic tests is also changing. Once exclusively the job of medical geneticists, now family doctors, oncologists, neurologists, cardiologists, haematologists, ophthalmologists, microbiologists, and pathologists frequently order genetic tests.¹