Commentary: Children and Predictive Genomic Testin... [J Pediatr Psychol. 2011] - PubMed result

J Pediatr Psychol. 2011 Aug 4. [Epub ahead of print]
Commentary: Children and Predictive Genomic Testing: Disease Prevention, Research Protection, and Our Future.
Tarini BA, Tercyak KP, Wilfond BS.

Source
Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit, Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics & Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan, Cancer Control Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Departments of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics, Seattle Children's Hospital, and Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine.


Abstract
Genetic testing offered by direct-to-consumer companies-herein referred to as "predictive genomic testing"-has come under federal scrutiny. Critics claim testing yields uninterpretable and potentially harmful information. Supporters assert individuals have a right to this information, which could catalyze preventive health actions. Despite contentions that predictive genomic testing is a tool of primary disease prevention, little discussion has focused on its use with children. This partly stems from concerns expressed in existing professional guidelines about the potential for psychological and behavioral harm to children engendered by predictive genetic tests for Mendelian diseases. Conducting research to understand the actual benefits and harms is important for policy development and practice guidance and can be ethically justified within the pediatric regulatory framework of research that offers a prospect of direct benefit. Child health psychologists are well poised to contribute to this research effort, and promote the translation of genomic discoveries to improve pediatric medicine.

PMID:21816897[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Commentary: Children and Predictive Genomic Testin... [J Pediatr Psychol. 2011] - PubMed result