RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Is it ethical to deny genetic research participants individualised results?
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 209
OP 213
DO 10.1136/jme.2007.024034
VO 35
IS 4
A1 P Affleck
YR 2009
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/35/4/209.abstract
AB This article examines a key ethical concern that has arisen in the work of the international research consortium GenoMEL (http://www.genomel.org) and that has relevance to all genetic research in humans. The question is whether it is ethical to deny research participants the opportunity to receive individualised genetic results obtained from the biological samples they provide. Where those results are of clinical importance, a “respect for persons” requirement would make the offering of those results imperative. However, where those results are of uncertain clinical value, the picture is less clear. This paper argues that researchers may not be ethically obliged to offer such results to their participants, because of competing ethical demands.