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Currents in Contemporary Ethics: Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing: Is it the Practice of Medicine?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2021

Cynthia Marietta  and
Amy L. McGuire
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Extract

Understanding of the human genome and its functional significance has increased exponentially since the completion of the Human Genome Project (HGP) in 2003. The HGP fueled the discovery of more than 1,800 disease genes and paved the way for researchers to identify and test for genes suspected of causing inherited diseases. Currently, there are more than 1000 genetic tests for human diseases and conditions on the market. These tests can play an integral role in the delivery of health care by providing information that could potentially form the basis for profound life decisions, such as whether to undergo a prophylactic mastectomy, whether to terminate a pregnancy, or whether to take a particular drug or medication dose.

Type
JLME Column
Information
Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics , Volume 37 , Issue 2 , Summer 2009 , pp. 369 - 374
Copyright
Copyright © American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics 2009

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