First Opinion Podcast cover image

First Opinion Podcast

94: When do tests hurt more than they help?

Dec 13, 2023
Mathematics professor and author Manil Suri and physician and professor Daniel Morgan discuss false positives in diagnostic tests, the impact of rarity on accuracy, prenatal testing for rare diseases, and the lack of statistical education in medical schools.
32:20

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • False positive results from lab-developed tests (LDTs) have led to panic and even the abortion of healthy fetuses, prompting the FDA to propose closing the oversight loophole.
  • Understanding the mathematical limitation of false positives is crucial for effective testing, especially for rare conditions, and communicating risk accurately to patients is essential.

Deep dives

The Problem with Lab-Developed Tests

Lab-developed tests (LDTs) have been exempt from FDA oversight, but the agency proposed to close this loophole due to false positive results. False positive prenatal diagnoses have caused panic for expecting parents and even led to the abortion of healthy fetuses. LDTs have also caused problems in genetic testing and cancer treatments. The FDA is considering whether to withdraw, revise, or finalize the rule.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode