Genetic testing has revolutionized the diagnosis and treatment of several diseases, especially rare inherited diseases and certain types of cancer. Being able to routinely perform genetic tests allows doctors to understand if a child will develop certain rare conditions, if you could be affected by a genetic illness which affects any of your family members, or if you have a higher likelihood of developing certain types of cancer.
There are numerous ethical aspects associated with genetic testing, including the fact that we know how to diagnose some genetic conditions but not how to treat them, the privacy issues (for you and your family members) around knowing genetic outcomes, or the streamlining of the process of genetic testing itself.
Despite the increase in genetic testing, and its ethical consequences, there is still no universal and comprehensive framework to assess the whole process.
The aim of this Research Topic is to explore the ethical aspects of genetic testing and compare the existing frameworks and policies addressing genetic testing worldwide. Topics may include, but are by no means limited to:
- Comparison between the ACCE model and other frameworks to assess genetic testing worldwide
- Worldwide policies concerning genetic testing
- Use of ad-hoc genetic testing strategies in different countries
- Comparison between the Health Technology Assessment approaches and the frameworks used to assess genetic testing
- Ethical aspects related to testing rare genetic diseases with and without a cure
- Ethical aspects related to routine childhood genetic testing
- Ethical aspects related to genetic testing for other family members
Genetic testing has revolutionized the diagnosis and treatment of several diseases, especially rare inherited diseases and certain types of cancer. Being able to routinely perform genetic tests allows doctors to understand if a child will develop certain rare conditions, if you could be affected by a genetic illness which affects any of your family members, or if you have a higher likelihood of developing certain types of cancer.
There are numerous ethical aspects associated with genetic testing, including the fact that we know how to diagnose some genetic conditions but not how to treat them, the privacy issues (for you and your family members) around knowing genetic outcomes, or the streamlining of the process of genetic testing itself.
Despite the increase in genetic testing, and its ethical consequences, there is still no universal and comprehensive framework to assess the whole process.
The aim of this Research Topic is to explore the ethical aspects of genetic testing and compare the existing frameworks and policies addressing genetic testing worldwide. Topics may include, but are by no means limited to:
- Comparison between the ACCE model and other frameworks to assess genetic testing worldwide
- Worldwide policies concerning genetic testing
- Use of ad-hoc genetic testing strategies in different countries
- Comparison between the Health Technology Assessment approaches and the frameworks used to assess genetic testing
- Ethical aspects related to testing rare genetic diseases with and without a cure
- Ethical aspects related to routine childhood genetic testing
- Ethical aspects related to genetic testing for other family members
