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White S, Mossfield T, Fleming J, Barlow-Stewart K, Ghedia S, Dickson R, Richards F, Bombard Y, Wiley V. Expanding the Australian Newborn Blood Spot Screening Program using genomic sequencing: do we want it and are we ready? Eur J Hum Genet 2023; 31:703-711. [PMID: 36935418 PMCID: PMC10250371 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-023-01311-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the introduction of genome sequencing in medicine, the factors involved in deciding how to integrate this technology into population screening programs such as Newborn Screening (NBS) have been widely debated. In Australia, participation in NBS is not mandatory, but over 99.9% of parents elect to uptake this screening. Gauging stakeholder attitudes towards potential changes to NBS is vital in maintaining this high participation rate. The current study aimed to determine the knowledge and attitudes of Australian parents and health professionals to the incorporation of genomic sequencing into NBS programs. Participants were surveyed online in 2016 using surveys adapted from previous studies. The majority of parents (90%) self-reported some knowledge of NBS, with 77% expressing an interest in NBS using the new technology. This was significantly lower than those who would utilise NBS using current technologies (99%). Although, many health professionals (62%) felt that new technologies should currently not be used as an adjunct to NBS, 79% foresaw the use of genomic sequencing in NBS by 2026. However, for genomic sequencing to be considered, practical and technical challenges as well as parent information needs were identified including the need for accurate interpretation of data; pre-and post-test counselling; and appropriate parental consent and opt-out process. Therefore, although some support for implementing genomic sequencing into Australian NBS does exist, there is a need for further investigation into the ethical, social, legal and practical implications of introducing this new technology as a replacement to current NBS methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie White
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Northern Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tamara Mossfield
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Northern Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Genea, Sydney CBD, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jane Fleming
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Northern Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Kristine Barlow-Stewart
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Northern Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sondhya Ghedia
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rebecca Dickson
- Genea, Sydney CBD, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Fiona Richards
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Children's Hospital, Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yvonne Bombard
- Genomics Health Services Research Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Veronica Wiley
- NSW Newborn Screening Programme, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Cao M, Notini L, Ayres S, Vears DF. Australian healthcare professionals' perspectives on the ethical and practical issues associated with genomic newborn screening. J Genet Couns 2022; 32:376-386. [PMID: 36245433 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) is a successful public health initiative that seeks to identify serious, treatable medical conditions. The increasing use of genomic sequencing (GS) in a wide range of medical settings has reignited the discussion on whether GS can and should be integrated into NBS. Yet, the perspectives of healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Australia on the ethical and practical issues associated with the implementation of genomic newborn screening (GNBS) are underexplored. To address this, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 Australian HCPs with clinical or policy experience in NBS and/or GS to explore their perspectives on the ethical, social, and practical issues raised by integrating GS into NBS. Interviews were analyzed using inductive content analysis. When asked whether GS should be incorporated into NBS, HCPs did not feel it was currently appropriate but there was a strong consensus it may be implemented within the next decade. However, HCPs had differing perspectives on what conditions should be included and how to best handle the volume of data generated from GNBS. Our findings have important implications for determining at what point and how genomics can be integrated into NBS. The differing views expressed amongst HCPs suggest that further research is needed to explore the reasons behind this. Importantly, our participants highlighted a potential role for genetic counselors in the implementation of GNBS on a larger scale by developing educational resources to facilitate obtaining informed consent and return of results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Cao
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lauren Notini
- Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Melbourne, Australia.,Biomedical Ethics Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Samantha Ayres
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Danya F Vears
- Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Melbourne, Australia.,Biomedical Ethics Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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