Assessing Genetic Risks

Raising hopes for disease treatment and prevention, but also the specter of discrimination and "designer genes," genetic testing is potentially a social explosive development of our time. This book presents an assessment of this field, offering principles for actions and research and recommendations on key issues in genetic testing and screening.

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Raising hopes for disease treatment and prevention, but also the specter of discrimination and "designer genes," genetic testing is potentially one of the most socially explosive developments of our time. This book presents a current assessment of this rapidly evolving field, offering principles for actions and research and recommendations on key issues in genetic testing and screening.


Advantages of early genetic knowledge are balanced with issues associated with such knowledge: availability of treatment, privacy and discrimination, personal decision-making, public health objectives, cost, and more. Among the important issues covered:




Quality control in genetic testing.
Appropriate roles for public agencies, private health practitioners, and laboratories.
Value-neutral education and counseling for persons considering testing.
Use of test results in insurance, employment, and other settings.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Exective Summary
1 Setting the Stage
2 Genetic Testing and Assessment
3 Laboratory Issues in Human Genetics
4 Issues in Genetic Counseling
5 Public Education in Genetics
6 Personnel Issues in Human Genetics
7 Financing of Genetic Testing and Screening Services
8 Social, Legal, and Ethical Implications of Genetic Testing
9 Research and Policy Agenda
Appendix A: Workshop Participants
Appendix B: Committee Biographies
Index