家庭微生物组检测面临监管空白

Despite its popularity, the science and regulations surrounding microbiome testing are still catching up, highlighting the need for better standards and oversight. BY SNEHA KHEDKAR About four years ago, Stephanie Servetas, a microbiologist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and her colleagues set out on a unique quest: They planned to mail a poop sample to seven companies that offered at-home microbiome test kits. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) microbiome tests have gained traction in recent times because of increasing evidence linking the microbiome to conditions such as cancer, obesity, and mental health.1-3 Generally, DTC microbiome testing companies mail a home test kit—which costs anywhere between $100 and $1000—to consumers, who then mail back stool samples. …