Disclosure of genetic information to family members: a systematic review of normative documents.


Journal

Genetics in medicine : official journal of the American College of Medical Genetics
ISSN: 1530-0366
Titre abrégé: Genet Med
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 9815831

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
11 2021
Historique:
received: 08 02 2021
accepted: 04 06 2021
revised: 04 06 2021
pubmed: 9 7 2021
medline: 12 11 2021
entrez: 8 7 2021
Statut: ppublish

Résumé

Findings from genomic sequencing can have important implications for patients and family members. Yet, when a patient does not consent to the disclosure of genetic information to relatives, it is unclear how health-care professionals (HCPs) should balance their responsibilities toward patients and their family members and whether breaches in confidentiality are warranted. We conducted a systematic review of normative documents to understand how HCPs should discuss and facilitate family disclosure, and what should be done in cases where the patient does not consent to disclosure. We analyzed 35 documents from advisory committees at the national, European, and international level. We identified discrepancies regarding the recommended role of HCPs in disclosure. While almost all normative documents supported the disclosure of genetic information without patient consent in limited conditions, the conditions for disclosure were often not well defined. Documents provided varying degrees of information regarding what actions HCPs must take in such situations. Our findings present concerns regarding the ability of these normative documents to guide HCPs' decision making around the disclosure of genetic information to family members. Clearer guidance outlining the responsibilities and acceptability of disclosure is necessary to facilitate disclosure of genetic information to family members.

Identifiants

pubmed: 34234303
doi: 10.1038/s41436-021-01248-0
pii: S1098-3600(21)05174-1
doi:

Types de publication

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Systematic Review

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Pagination

2038-2046

Informations de copyright

© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics.

Références

Hall A et al. Realising genomics in clinical practice PHG Foundation Project Team. 2014. https://www.phgfoundation.org/documents/426_1419240712.pdf . Accessed 8 November 2019.
Basel D, McCarrier J. Ending a diagnostic odyssey: family education, counseling, and response to eventual diagnosis. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2017;64:265–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcl.2016.08.017 .
doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2016.08.017 pubmed: 27894449
Leenen CHM, Heijer M, den, van der Meer C, Kuipers EJ, van Leerdam ME, Wagner A. Genetic testing for Lynch syndrome: family communication and motivation. Fam Cancer. 2016;15:63–73. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10689-015-9842-8 .
doi: 10.1007/s10689-015-9842-8 pubmed: 26446592
Forrest K, et al. To tell or not to tell: barriers and facilitators in family communication about genetic risk. Clin Genet. 2003;64:317–26. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1399-0004.2003.00142.x .
doi: 10.1034/j.1399-0004.2003.00142.x pubmed: 12974737
Dheensa S, Lucassen A, Fenwick A. Limitations and pitfalls of using family letters to communicate genetic risk: a qualitative study with patients and healthcare professionals. J Genet Couns. 2018;27:689–701. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-017-0164-x .
doi: 10.1007/s10897-017-0164-x pubmed: 29094272
Parker M, Lucassen A. Using a genetic test result in the care of family members: How does the duty of confidentiality apply? Eur J Hum Genet. 2018;26:955–9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41431-018-0138-y .
doi: 10.1038/s41431-018-0138-y pubmed: 29700390 pmcid: 6018806
Tiller J, et al. Disclosing genetic information to family members without consent: five Australian case studies. Eur J Med Genet. 2020;63:104035. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmg.2020.104035 .
doi: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2020.104035 pubmed: 32805446
Dheensa S, Fenwick A, Lucassen A. Approaching confidentiality at a familial level in genomic medicine: a focus group study with healthcare professionals. BMJ Open. 2017;7:e012443. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012443 .
doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012443 pubmed: 28159847 pmcid: 5293977
D’Audiffret Van Haecke D, de Montgolfier S. Genetic test results and disclosure to family members: qualitative interviews of healthcare professionals’ perceptions of ethical and professional issues in France. J Genet Couns. 2016;25:483–94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-015-9896-7 .
doi: 10.1007/s10897-015-9896-7 pubmed: 26482743
Forrest LE, Delatycki MB, Skene L, Aitken M. Communicating genetic information in families—a review of guidelines and position papers. Eur J Hum Genet. 2007;15:612–8. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejhg.5201822 .
doi: 10.1038/sj.ejhg.5201822 pubmed: 17392704
Krippendorff K. Reliability in content analysis. Hum Commun Res. 2004;30:411–33. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2958.2004.tb00738.x .
doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2958.2004.tb00738.x
Nuffield Council on Bioethics. Genetic screening: ethical issues. 1993. https://www.nuffieldbioethics.org/publications/genetic-screening . Accessed March 2020.
The American Society of Human Genetics Social Issues Subcommittee on Familial Disclosure. Professional disclosure of familial genetic information. Am J Hum Genet. 1998;62:474–83.
doi: 10.1086/301707
EuroGentest. Recommendations for genetic counselling related to genetic testing. 2006. http://www.eurogentest.org/index.php?id=674 . Accessed March 2020.
Ballantyne A, Goold I, Pearn A, WHO Human Genetics Programme. Medical genetic services in developing countries: the ethical, legal and social implications of genetic testing and screening. World Health Organization. 2006. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/43288 . Accessed March 2020.
Nuffield Council on Bioethics. Genetic screening: a supplement to the 1993 report by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics. 2006. https://www.nuffieldbioethics.org/wp-content/uploads/Genetic-Screening-a-Supplement-to-the-1993-Report-20061.pdf . Accessed March 2020.
Joint Committee on Medical Genetics. The Human Tissue Act 2004: an assessment of the Act and its implications for the specialties of clinical and laboratory genetics. 2006. https://www.phgfoundation.org/documents/386_1412682009.pdf . Accessed March 2020.
European Society of Human Genetics. Core competences in genetics for health professionals in Europe. 2008. https://www.eshg.org/fileadmin/www.eshg.org/documents/CoreCompetence04GeneticSpecialists.pdf . Accessed March 2020.
World Health Organization. Community genetics services: report of a WHO consultation on community genetics in low-and middle-income countries. 2010. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/44532. . Accessed March 2020.
Royal College of Physicians, Royal College of Pathologists and British Society for Human Genetics. Consent and confidentiality in clinical genetic practice: guidance on genetic testing and sharing genetic information. 2nd edn. Report of the Joint Committee on Medical Genetics. London: RCP, RCPath, 2011.
Japanese Association of Medical Sciences. Guidelines for genetic tests and diagnoses in medical practice. 2011. https://www.jsrm.or.jp/guideline/genetics-diagnosis_e.pdf . Accessed March 2020.
Riley BD, et al. Essential elements of genetic cancer risk assessment, counseling, and testing: updated recommendations of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. J Genet Couns. 2012;21:151–61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-011-9462-x .
doi: 10.1007/s10897-011-9462-x pubmed: 22134580
Danish Council of Ethics. Genome testing: ethical dilemmas in diagnosis, in research and direct-to-consumer. 2012. https://www.etiskraad.dk/~/media/Etisk-Raad/en/Publications/Genome-testing-report-2012.pdf?la=da . Accessed March 2020.
National Health and Medical Research Council. Use and disclosure of genetic information to a patient’s genetic relatives under Section 95AA of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). 2014. https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/guidelines-approved-under-section-95aa-privacy-act-1988-cth . Accessed March 2020.
Joint Committee on Medical Genetics. Consent and confidentiality in genomic medicine Guidance on the use of genetic and genomic information in the clinic. London: Royal College of Physicians, Royal College of Pathologists and British Society for Genetic Medicine. 3rd edn. 2019.
European Commission. Ethical, legal and social aspects of genetic testing: research, development and clinical applications. Brussels: European Communities; 2004.
Committee on Ethics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Committee on Genetics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG committee opinion no. 410: ethical issues in genetic testing. Obstet Gynecol. 2008;111:1495–502. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0b013e31817d252f .
doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e31817d252f
Godard B, Kääriäinen H, Kristoffersson U, Tranebjaerg L, Coviello D, Aymé S. Provision of genetic services in Europe: current practices and issues. Eur J Hum Genet. 2003;11:S13–48. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejhg.5201111 .
doi: 10.1038/sj.ejhg.5201111 pubmed: 14718937
Committee Opinion No. 693. Counseling about genetic testing and communication of genetic test results. Obstet Gynecol. 2017;129:e96–101. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000002020 .
doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002020
French National Consultative Ethics Committee for Health and Life Sciences (CCNE). Opinion 46: Opinion and recommendations on “Genetics and medecine: from prediction to prevention.” 1995. https://www.ccne-ethique.fr/en/publications/opinion-and-recommendations-genetics-and-medicine-prediction-prevention . Accessed March 2020.
The Japan Society of Human Genetics, Council Committee of Ethics., Matsuda I, et al. Guidelines for genetic testing. J Hum Genet. 2001;46:163–5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s100380170107 .
doi: 10.1007/s100380170107
Committee for Public Relations and Ethical Issues of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Humangenetik e.V. [German Society of Human Genetics] Position paper of the German Society of Human Genetics. Med Genetik. 1996;8:125–30.
Menko FH, et al. Informing family members of individuals with Lynch syndrome: a guideline for clinical geneticists. Fam Cancer. 2013;12:319–24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10689-013-9636-9 .
doi: 10.1007/s10689-013-9636-9 pubmed: 23535968
Associated Society of Genetic Medicine. Guidelines for genetic testing. 2004. https://jshg.jp/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/10academies_e.pdf . Accessed March 2020.
Canadian Medical Association. CMA code of ethics. 2004. https://medicine.utoronto.ca/sites/default/files/PD04-06.pdf . Accessed March 2020.
General Medical Council. Confidentiality: good practice in handling patient information. 2017. https://www.gmc-uk.org/-/media/documents/gmc-guidance-for-doctors---confidentiality-good-practice-in-handling-patient-information----70080105.pdf. Accessed March 2020.
French National Consultative Ethics Committee for Health and Life Sciences (CCNE). Opinion 25: regarding the application of genetic testing to individual studies, family studies and population studies. 1991. https://www.ccne-ethique.fr/en/publications/opinion-regarding-application-genetic-testing-individual-studies-family-studies-and . Accessed March 2020.
Council of Europe. Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers to member states on genetic testing and screening for health care purposes. 1992. https://rm.coe.int/16804e913a . Accessed March 2020.
Heredity: science and society on the possibilities and limits of genetic testing and gene therapy. Report issued by a Committee of the Health Council of The Netherlands. Hum Gene Ther. 1994;5:37–40. https://doi.org/10.1089/hum.1994.5.1-37 .
Wertz DC, Fletcher JC, Ber K, Boulyjenkov V, World Health Organization. Hereditary Diseases Programme. Guidelines on ethical issues in medical genetics and the provision of genetics services. World Health Organization. 1995. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/62048 . Accessed March 2020.
National Institute of Health and the National Committee for Biosafety and Biotechnology. Italian guidelines for genetic testing. Minerva Biotecnologica. 2000;12:91–97.
British Medical Association. The impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 on medical decision-making. 2000. http://www.cirp.org/library/legal/BMA-human-rights/ . Accessed March 2020.
French National Consultative Ethics Committee for Health and Life Sciences (CCNE). Opinion 76: regarding the obligation to disclose genetic information of concern to the family in the event of medical necessity. 2003. https://www.ccne-ethique.fr/en/publications/regarding-obligation-disclose-genetic-information-concern-family-event-medical . Accessed March 2020.
van El CG, et al. Whole-genome sequencing in health care: recommendations of the European Society of Human Genetics. Eur J Hum Genet. 2013;21:580–4. https://doi.org/10.1038/ejhg.2013.46 .
doi: 10.1038/ejhg.2013.46 pubmed: 23676617 pmcid: 3658192
Young AL, Butow PN, Tucker KM, Wakefield CE, Healey E, Williams R. Challenges and strategies proposed by genetic health professionals to assist with family communication. Eur J Hum Genet. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41431-019-0447-9 .
doi: 10.1038/s41431-019-0447-9 pubmed: 31189929 pmcid: 6871519
van den Heuvel LM, Smets EMA, van Tintelen JP, Christiaans I. How to inform relatives at risk of hereditary diseases? A mixed-methods systematic review on patient attitudes. J Genet Couns. 2019;28:1042–58. https://doi.org/10.1002/jgc4.1143 .
doi: 10.1002/jgc4.1143 pubmed: 31216099
Mendes Á, Paneque M, Sousa L, Clarke A, Sequeiros J. How communication of genetic information within the family is addressed in genetic counselling: a systematic review of research evidence. Eur J Hum Genet. 2016;24:315–25. https://doi.org/10.1038/ejhg.2015.174 .
doi: 10.1038/ejhg.2015.174 pubmed: 26264439
Van Haecke D, d’audiffret, de Montgolfier S. Genetic diseases and information to relatives: practical and ethical issues for professionals after introduction of a legal framework in France. Eur J Hum Genet. 2018;26:786–95. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41431-018-0103-9 .
doi: 10.1038/s41431-018-0103-9
Middleton A, et al. Professional duties are now considered legal duties of care within genomic medicine. Eur J Hum Genet. 2020;28:1301–4. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41431-020-0663-3 .
doi: 10.1038/s41431-020-0663-3
Meggiolaro N, Barlow-Stewart K, Dunlop K, Newson AJ, Fleming J. Disclosure to genetic relatives without consent—Australian genetic professionals’ awareness of the health privacy law. BMC Med Ethics. 2020;21:13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-020-0451-1 .
doi: 10.1186/s12910-020-0451-1 pubmed: 32019532 pmcid: 7001268

Auteurs

Amicia Phillips (A)

Center for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven, Belgium. amicia.phillips@kuleuven.be.

Pascal Borry (P)

Center for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven, Belgium.

Ine Van Hoyweghen (I)

Life Sciences and Society Lab, Center for Sociological Research, Leuven, Belgium.

Danya F Vears (DF)

Center for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven, Belgium.
Biomedical Ethics Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia.
Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.

Articles similaires

[Redispensing of expensive oral anticancer medicines: a practical application].

Lisanne N van Merendonk, Kübra Akgöl, Bastiaan Nuijen
1.00
Humans Antineoplastic Agents Administration, Oral Drug Costs Counterfeit Drugs

Smoking Cessation and Incident Cardiovascular Disease.

Jun Hwan Cho, Seung Yong Shin, Hoseob Kim et al.
1.00
Humans Male Smoking Cessation Cardiovascular Diseases Female
Humans United States Aged Cross-Sectional Studies Medicare Part C
1.00
Humans Yoga Low Back Pain Female Male

Classifications MeSH