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Anticipating the Ethical Challenges of Psychiatric Genetic Testing

  • Genetic Disorders (F Goes, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Genetic testing for mental illness is likely to become increasingly prevalent as the science behind it is refined. This article identifies anticipated ethical challenges for patients, psychiatrists, and genetic counselors and makes recommendations for addressing them.

Recent Findings

Many of the ethical challenges of psychiatric genetic testing are likely to stem from failures to comprehend the nature and implications of test results. Recent studies have identified gaps in the knowledge base of psychiatrists and genetic counselors, which limit their abilities to provide patients with appropriate education. A small number of studies have demonstrated the value of counseling in empowering patients to deal with relevant genetic information.

Summary

Psychiatrists and other health professionals must be able to assist patients and families in making informed decisions about genetic testing and interpreting test results. Filling their knowledge gaps on these issues will be a critical step towards meeting these responsibilities.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grants from the National Human Genome Research Institute (P50HG007257 and U01HG008680).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY, USA

    Paul S. Appelbaum & Shawna Benston

  2. NY State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 122, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Paul S. Appelbaum

Authors
  1. Paul S. Appelbaum
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  2. Shawna Benston
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Correspondence to Paul S. Appelbaum.

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Conflict of Interest

Paul S. Appelbaum and Shawna Benston report a grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Genetic Disorders

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Appelbaum, P.S., Benston, S. Anticipating the Ethical Challenges of Psychiatric Genetic Testing. Curr Psychiatry Rep 19, 39 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0790-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0790-x

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