165928 Rights and Genomic Medicine

Tuesday, November 6, 2007: 9:10 AM

Terrance McConnell, PhD , Philosophy, Univeristy of North Carolina - Greensboro, Greesnboro, NC
           
Genomic medicine in general, and genetic tests in particular, offer great promise in the promotion of human health. Yet, there are risks associated with these developments. Some of these risks are directly related to health. In nations that lack universal health coverage, genetic discrimination may prevent those most in need of health care from accessing the care. Other risks are related to patients' rights and confidentiality. Privacy is important to individuals, and patients'right of confidentiality may be in greater jeopardy when health related information about them is obtained by others. In addition, some individuals may be forced to confront health related information that they would rather avoid, thus raising questions about their right not to know.

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss the ethical significance of rights. 2. Discuss the right of access to health care, the right to privacy, and the right not to know. 3. Evaluate ways in which genomic medicine may put the right of access to health care, the right to privacy, and the right not to know at risk.

Keywords: Ethics, Genetics

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Community Based Genomic Medicine: A Human Rights Perspective
See more of: APHA-International Human Rights Committee