Genetics as a Family Affair

Abstract

Genetics is a family matter, to greater extent than other areas of medicine. We share our genes with family members. One person's diagnosis may contain important information for siblings, children, parents, and other relatives about their risks of developing disease, including common diseases such as cancer. Sometimes the information may be useful for taking preventive measures, planning lives, or deciding whether to have children. Sometimes family members would rather not know, because the information serves mainly to arouse anxiety. Sometimes the individual initially diagnosed does not want relatives to know. And sometimes the information does more harm than good, by disrupting family relationships.