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Personal genome sequencing may be the next great technology frontier in public health—but how do patients feel about knowing, sharing and acting on their genetic information?
That’s a question researchers are exploring as more health-care providers, companies and research groups begin providing results of personal genome sequencing to patients and their doctors.
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The broad aim is to understand people’s genetically based risks and develop strategies to keep them healthy, rather than just treating their diseases, [Debra] Leonard says[.]
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[According to preliminary survey results,] about 20% of participants cited specific concerns about their family history, and those were more likely to report learning something that they believe will improve their health than those who didn’t report family-history concerns.…
[Dr. Robert Hayward] doesn’t believe all patients should have their genomes sequenced “because you could be chasing after red herrings and doing a lot of harm.”Instead, Hayward says, “start with a patient that has a condition and then do testing, rather than looking for things in perfectly healthy people.”
Read full, original post: Why knowing your genetic data can be a tricky proposition
