Are Genetic Tests Exceptional?

Published: 2006
Author or Editor: Author

Abstract:

Policy makers have suggested that information about genetic risk factors, which are associated with low risk and for which preventive strategies exist, should not be considered '˜'˜exceptional'' and should not warrant special safeguards, such as data protection or specialist pretest counselling. There is scant research on how such risk factors are perceived. To explore this we conducted qualitative interviews with 42 participants who had been tested for a low risk genetic susceptibility to deep vein thrombosis.
Our findings suggest that low risk genetic susceptibilities, for which preventive strategies exist, may not necessarily be perceived as exceptional.

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