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Poogoda S, Lynch F, Stark Z, Wilkinson D, Savulescu J, Vears D, Gyngell C. Intensive Care Clinicians' Perspectives on Ethical Challenges Raised by Rapid Genomic Testing in Critically Ill Infants. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:970. [PMID: 37371202 DOI: 10.3390/children10060970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Rapid genomic testing (rGT) enables genomic information to be available in a matter of hours, allowing it to be used in time-critical settings, such as intensive care units. Although rGT has been shown to improve diagnostic rates in a cost-effective manner, it raises ethical questions around a range of different areas, including obtaining consent and clinical decision-making. While some research has examined the perspectives of parents and genetics health professionals, the attitudes of intensive care clinicians remain under-explored. To address this gap, we administered an online survey to English-speaking neonatal/paediatric intensivists in Europe, Australasia and North America. We posed two ethical scenarios: one relating to obtaining consent from the parents and the second assessing decision-making regarding the provision of life-sustaining treatments. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. We received 40 responses from 12 countries. About 50-75% of intensivists felt that explicit parental consent was necessary for rGT. About 68-95% felt that a diagnosis from rGT should affect the provision of life-sustaining care. Results were mediated by intensivists' level of experience. Our findings show divergent attitudes toward ethical issues generated by rGT among intensivists and suggest the need for guidance regarding ethical decision-making for rGT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachini Poogoda
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Fiona Lynch
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Zornitza Stark
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Australian Genomics, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Dominic Wilkinson
- Faculty of Philosophy, Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 1PT, UK
| | - Julian Savulescu
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Faculty of Philosophy, Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 1PT, UK
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
| | - Danya Vears
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Christopher Gyngell
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
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Best MC, Butow P, Savard J, Jacobs C, Bartley N, Davies G, Napier CE, Ballinger ML, Thomas DM, Biesecker B, Tucker KM, Juraskova I, Meiser B, Schlub T, Newson AJ. Preferences for return of germline genome sequencing results for cancer patients and their genetic relatives in a research setting. Eur J Hum Genet 2022; 30:930-937. [PMID: 35277654 PMCID: PMC9349221 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-022-01069-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Germline genome sequencing (GS) holds great promise for cancer prevention by identifying cancer risk and guiding prevention strategies, however research evidence is mixed regarding patient preferences for receiving GS results. The aim of this study was to discern preferences for return of results by cancer patients who have actually undergone GS. We conducted a mixed methods study with a cohort of cancer probands (n = 335) and their genetic relatives (n = 199) undergoing GS in a research setting. Both groups completed surveys when giving consent. A subset of participants (n = 40) completed semi-structured interviews. A significantly higher percentage of probands thought people would like to be informed about genetic conditions for which there is prevention or treatment that can change cancer risk compared to conditions for which there is no prevention or treatment (93% [311] versus 65% [216]; p < 0.001). Similar results were obtained for relatives (91% [180] versus 61% [121]; p < 0.001). Themes identified in the analysis of interviews were: (1) Recognised benefits of GS, (2) Balancing benefits with risks, (3) Uncertain results are perceived as unhelpful and (4) Competing obligations. While utility was an important discriminator in what was seen as valuable for this cohort, there was a variety of responses. In view of varied participant preferences regarding return of results, it is important to ensure patient understanding of test validity and identify individual choices at the time of consent to GS. The nature and value of the information, and a contextual understanding of researcher obligations should guide result return.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan C Best
- Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. .,Institute for Ethics and Society, University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney, WA, Australia.
| | - Phyllis Butow
- Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Chris Jacobs
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicole Bartley
- Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Grace Davies
- Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Christine E Napier
- Cancer Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mandy L Ballinger
- Cancer Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David M Thomas
- Cancer Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Katherine M Tucker
- Hereditary Cancer Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ilona Juraskova
- Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bettina Meiser
- Psychosocial Research Group, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Timothy Schlub
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ainsley J Newson
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Smit AK, Reyes-Marcelino G, Keogh L, Dunlop K, Newson AJ, Cust AE. Implementation considerations for offering personal genomic risk information to the public: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:1028. [PMID: 32600382 PMCID: PMC7325160 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09143-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Genomic risk information, based on common genomic susceptibility variants associated with risk of complex diseases such as cancer, may be incorporated into personalised prevention and screening strategies. We aimed to engage with members of the public, who are important stakeholders in this process, to further inform program development and other implementation outcomes such as acceptability and appropriateness. Methods Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 30 participants (aged 24–69 years, 50% female) recruited from a pilot trial in which they received personalised genomic risk information for melanoma. We explored participants’ views and attitudes towards offering general personal genomic risk information to the broader population. The data were analysed thematically. Results Two overarching themes relevant to implementation considerations were identified. Firstly, participants’ preferences for accepting an offer of genomic risk information were based on family history, disease incidence and the possibility of prevention. Secondly, participants felt that the processes for offering risk information should be based on individual preferences, triaged according to risk and be supported by a health professional trained in genomics. Conclusions Participants felt that offering personal genomic risk information to the general population to inform prevention and early detection recommendations is acceptable, particularly for common, complex conditions such as cancer. Understanding participants’ preferences for receiving genomic risk information will assist with communication strategies and health workforce planning. We anticipate that these findings will contribute to the development of implementation strategies for incorporating genomic risk information into routine clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia K Smit
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. .,Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, Sydney Health Ethics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. .,Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Gillian Reyes-Marcelino
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Louise Keogh
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Kate Dunlop
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ainsley J Newson
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, Sydney Health Ethics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anne E Cust
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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