Do individuals have the right to control their family’s genetic information?

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Do individuals have the right to control their family’s genetic information?

29 January 2020

Wednesday 29 January 2020, 12:00 AM

The outcome of ABC v St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust and others will affect genetic testing across the world

GENETIC MEDICINE

This article explores some of the ethical considerations associated with genetic testing, using a case that is working its way through the legal system of England and Wales – ABC v St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust and others

Russell Gear

The assumption that confidentiality towards individuals is always paramount is as inappropriate as the assumption that disclosure is always permissib

Genetics

Medicolegal

Patients

References

British and Irish Legal Information Institute. England and Wales Court of Appeal (Civil Division) Decisions: ABC v St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust & Ors [2017] EWCA Civ 336 (16 May 2017). https://bit.ly/2Rird3o

Lucassen A, Gilbar R. Alerting relatives about heritable risks: the limits of confidentiality. BMJ 2018;361:k1409.

Royal College of Physicians, Royal College of Pathologists and British Society for Genetic Medicine. Consent and confidentiality in genomic medicine: Guidance on the use of genetic and genomic information in the clinic. 3rd edition. London: RCP, RCPath and BSGM; 2019

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How to Treat

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Thyroid nodules

Otolaryngologist, head and neck surgeon Francis T. Hall discusses the evaluation of thyroid nodules, which primarily aims to determine the likelihood of malignancy. He then reviews the treatment of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer, including recent advances in management

Wednesday 30 April 2025, 12:50 AM