Who may perform what?
Legal provisions for the performance of genetic analyses
In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the performance of genetic analyses is regulated by law (Germany: Genetic Diagnostics Act, GenDG; Austria: Gene Technology Act, GTG; Switzerland: Federal Act on Human Genetic Testing, GUMG). The laws distinguish between analyses for medical purposes and analyses without a medical purpose; details and borderline cases are regulated differently in each country. The following is an overview of the legal situation in Germany.
Germany
Genetic analyses without a medical purpose (e.g. on nutrition, sport or skin)
Genetic analyses without a medical purpose are not subject to the physician reservation of the Genetic Diagnostics Act. The following also applies to them: genetic data are specially protected under the GDPR and are processed only with your explicit consent.
Diagnostic genetic examinations (§ 3 No. 7 GenDG)
- detects existing diseases
- recognizes genetic characteristics that can lead to disease in connection with environmental influences (disease risks / precautionary analyses)
- Detects potential drug intolerances
- detects whether a person is resistant to the development of a disease
These examinations may only be performed by physicians (§ 7 GenDG).
Predictive genetic examinations (§ 3 No. 8 GenDG)
- Foresees a disease (not the risk) arising in the future
- determines the carrier of a mutation that could lead to a disease in offspring
These examinations may only be performed by specialists in human genetics or by other physicians who have qualified for genetic examinations within their specialty (§ 7 GenDG).
Source: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gendg/
In Germany, medical genetic analyses are therefore reserved for physicians. Genetic analyses without a medical purpose – i.e. without statements on diseases or disease risks – may also be offered by nutritionists, fitness trainers or alternative practitioners; data protection, consumer protection and advertising law also apply here.
As of: October 2026. This article provides a general overview and does not replace legal advice.
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