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Hui EKY, Yam JCS, Rahman F, Pang CP, Kumaramanickavel G. Ophthalmic genetic counselling: emerging trends in practice perspectives in Asia. J Community Genet 2023; 14:81-89. [PMID: 36322374 PMCID: PMC9947206 DOI: 10.1007/s12687-022-00616-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic counselling (GC) provides information to the patient and the family to make informed choices. Among the advanced Western countries and a few Asian countries, there are certified or trained professionals who perform GC. The Human Genome Project and next-generation sequencing diagnostics have provided an opportunity for increased genetic testing in the field of ophthalmology. The recent interventional therapeutic research strategies have also generated additional interest to seek GC globally, including in Asia. However, GC has several barriers to practise in the developing countries in Asia, namely, (a) shortage of qualified or trained genetic counsellors, (b) poor knowledge and reluctance in clinical adoption of genomics among the physicians in clinical practice, (c) overstretched public health services, and (d) negligible ophthalmic GC-related research and publications. The GC inadequacy in Asia is glaring in the most populous countries like China and India. Cultural differences, religious beliefs, misogyny, genetic discrimination, and a multitude of languages in Asia create unique challenges that counsellors in the West may only encounter with the immigrant minorities. Since there are currently 500 or more specific Mendelian genetic eye disorders, it is important for genetic counsellors to translate the genetic results at a level that the patient and family understand. There is therefore a need for governmental and healthcare organisations to train genetic counsellors in Asia and especially this practice must be included in the routine comprehensive ophthalmic care practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther K. Y. Hui
- Department of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jason C. S. Yam
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Farhana Rahman
- Department of Pharmacology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER), Chennai, India.
| | - Chi Pui Pang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
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Ahearn TU, Choudhury PP, Derkach A, Wiafe-Addai B, Awuah B, Yarney J, Edusei L, Titiloye N, Adjei E, Vanderpuye V, Aitpillah F, Dedey F, Oppong J, Osei-Bonsu EB, Duggan MA, Brinton LA, Allen J, Luccarini C, Baynes C, Carvalho S, Dunning AM, Davis Lynn BC, Chanock SJ, Hicks BD, Yeager M, Chatterjee N, Biritwum R, Clegg-Lamptey JN, Nyarko K, Wiafe S, Ansong D, Easton DF, Figueroa JD, Garcia-Closas M. Breast Cancer Risk in Women from Ghana Carrying Rare Germline Pathogenic Mutations. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022; 31:1593-1601. [PMID: 35654374 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-21-1397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Risk estimates for women carrying germline mutations in breast cancer susceptibility genes are mainly based on studies of European ancestry women. METHODS We investigated associations between pathogenic variants (PV) in 34 genes with breast cancer risk in 871 cases [307 estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, 321 ER-negative, and 243 ER-unknown] and 1,563 controls in the Ghana Breast Health Study (GBHS), and estimated lifetime risk for carriers. We compared results with those for European, Asian, and African American ancestry women. RESULTS The frequency of PV in GBHS for nine breast cancer genes was 8.38% in cases and 1.22% in controls. Relative risk estimates for overall breast cancer were: (OR, 13.70; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.03-46.51) for BRCA1, (OR, 7.02; 95% CI, 3.17-15.54) for BRCA2, (OR, 17.25; 95% CI, 2.15-138.13) for PALB2, 5 cases and no controls carried TP53 PVs, and 2.10, (0.72-6.14) for moderate-risk genes combined (ATM, BARD1, CHEK2, RAD51C, RAD52D). These estimates were similar to those previously reported in other populations and were modified by ER status. No other genes evaluated had mutations associated at P < 0.05 with overall risk. The estimated lifetime risks for mutation carriers in BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2 and moderate-risk genes were 18.4%, 9.8%, 22.4%, and 3.1%, respectively, markedly lower than in Western populations with higher baseline risks. CONCLUSIONS We confirmed associations between PV and breast cancer risk in Ghanaian women and provide absolute risk estimates that could inform counseling in Ghana and other West African countries. IMPACT These findings have direct relevance for breast cancer genetic counseling for women in West Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas U Ahearn
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Parichoy Pal Choudhury
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Andriy Derkach
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Máire A Duggan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Louise A Brinton
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jamie Allen
- Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Craig Luccarini
- Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Baynes
- Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Carvalho
- Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Alison M Dunning
- Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Brittny C Davis Lynn
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Stephen J Chanock
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Belynda D Hicks
- Cancer Genomics Research Laboratory, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Meredith Yeager
- Cancer Genomics Research Laboratory, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Nilanjan Chatterjee
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | | | | | - Seth Wiafe
- Loma Linda University, School of Public Health, Loma Linda, California
| | | | - Douglas F Easton
- Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jonine D Figueroa
- Usher Institute and CRUK Edinburgh Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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3
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Sylvia N, Joseph O, David KM, Ian M, Janet N, Nelson NF, John B, Betty K, Charles I, Adelline T, Nelson S, Erisa Sabakaki M. Experiences and practices of key research team members in obtaining informed consent for pharmacogenetic research among people living with HIV: a qualitative study. RESEARCH ETHICS 2022; 18:193-209. [PMID: 36213304 PMCID: PMC9536131 DOI: 10.1177/17470161221076974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to explore experiences and practices of key research team members in obtaining informed consent for pharmacogenetics research and to identify the approaches used for enhancing understanding during the consenting process. Data collection involved 15 qualitative, in-depth interviews with key researchers who were involved in obtaining informed consent from HIV infected individuals in Uganda for participation in pharmacogenetic clinical trials. The study explored two prominent themes: approaches used to convey information and enhance research participants’ understanding and challenges faced during the consenting process. Several barriers and facilitators for obtaining consent were identified. Innovative and potentially effective consenting strategies were identified in this study that should be studied and independently verified.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Barugahare John
- Makerere University College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Uganda
| | | | | | | | | | - Mwaka Erisa Sabakaki
- Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Uganda
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Uganda
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Schuler BA, Nelson ET, Koziura M, Cogan JD, Hamid R, Phillips JA. Lessons learned: next-generation sequencing applied to undiagnosed genetic diseases. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:e154942. [PMID: 35362483 PMCID: PMC8970663 DOI: 10.1172/jci154942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rare genetic disorders, when considered together, are relatively common. Despite advancements in genetics and genomics technologies as well as increased understanding of genomic function and dysfunction, many genetic diseases continue to be difficult to diagnose. The goal of this Review is to increase the familiarity of genetic testing strategies for non-genetics providers. As genetic testing is increasingly used in primary care, many subspecialty clinics, and various inpatient settings, it is important that non-genetics providers have a fundamental understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of various genetic testing strategies as well as develop an ability to interpret genetic testing results. We provide background on commonly used genetic testing approaches, give examples of phenotypes in which the various genetic testing approaches are used, describe types of genetic and genomic variations, cover challenges in variant identification, provide examples in which next-generation sequencing (NGS) failed to uncover the variant responsible for a disease, and discuss opportunities for continued improvement in the application of NGS clinically. As genetic testing becomes increasingly a part of all areas of medicine, familiarity with genetic testing approaches and result interpretation is vital to decrease the burden of undiagnosed disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryce A. Schuler
- Division of Medical Genetics and Genomics and
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Erica T. Nelson
- Division of Medical Genetics and Genomics and
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Mary Koziura
- Division of Medical Genetics and Genomics and
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Joy D. Cogan
- Division of Medical Genetics and Genomics and
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Rizwan Hamid
- Division of Medical Genetics and Genomics and
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - John A. Phillips
- Division of Medical Genetics and Genomics and
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Ladak LA, Gallagher R, Hasan BS, Awais K, Abdullah A, Gullick J. Exploring the influence of socio-cultural factors and environmental resources on the health related quality of life of children and adolescents after congenital heart disease surgery: parental perspectives from a low middle income country. J Patient Rep Outcomes 2020; 4:72. [PMID: 32857277 PMCID: PMC7455647 DOI: 10.1186/s41687-020-00239-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important indicator of long-term well-being, influenced by environmental factors such as family, culture, societal norms and available resources. This study aimed to explore parental perspectives on the influence of socio-cultural factors and environmental resources on the HRQOL of children and adolescents after congenital heart disease (CHD) surgery. METHODS Using a descriptive, qualitative design, semi-structured interviews of children/adolescents who had CHD surgery in this low-middle income country (LMIC) were collected between July to December 2017. There were 20 families enrolled, which included 18 parent dyads (mother and father) and two single mothers, making a total of 38 participants. Initial inductive analysis was further refined using the Social Ecological Model as an analytic lens. RESULTS At the intrapersonal level, unrealistic expectations of surgery, residual CHD symptoms and difficulty maintaining educational progress were of great concern. There were low levels of health literacy and understanding about CHD among family and friends, however, strong kinship ties were an important resource at the interpersonal level. These families lived in poverty and mothers often carried the sole burden of care for their sick children. At the institutional level, there were unclear expectations of the child's needs at school, and parents had poor access to psychological, family-planning and genetic counselling, and poor access to CHD education resources. At a sociocultural level, religion and trust in God were important coping factors, however, CHD was a gendered experience with particular concerns around scarring and the marriageability of girls. Parents noted the deficit of antenatal and specialist CHD services and felt the consequence of a lack of a universal health care system at the public policy level. CONCLUSION Socio-ecological factors have the potential to explain the issues and challenges that children living in LMIC experience with CHD after surgery. The study findings will help to inform future interventions to be implemented in countries like Pakistan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila A Ladak
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. .,Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Sydney Nursing School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Robyn Gallagher
- Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Sydney Nursing School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre, Sydney Nursing School Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Babar S Hasan
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Khadija Awais
- Medical College, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Ahmed Abdullah
- Medical College, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Janice Gullick
- Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Sydney Nursing School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Adaniel C, Salinas F, Donaire JM, Bravo ME, Peralta O, Paredes H, Aliaga N, Sola A, Neira P, Behnke C, Rodriguez T, Torres S, Lopez F, Hurtado C. Non- BRCA1/2 Variants Detected in a High-Risk Chilean Cohort With a History of Breast and/or Ovarian Cancer. J Glob Oncol 2019; 5:1-14. [PMID: 31125277 PMCID: PMC6550094 DOI: 10.1200/jgo.18.00163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
METHODS Data were retrospectively collected from the registry of the High-Risk Breast and Ovarian Cancer Program at Clínica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile. Data captured included index case diagnosis, ancestry, family history, and genetic test results. RESULTS Three hundred fifteen individuals underwent genetic testing during the study period. The frequency of germline pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants in a breast or ovarian cancer predisposition gene was 20.3%. Of those patients who underwent testing with a panel of both high- and moderate-penetrance genes, 10.5% were found to have pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in non-BRCA1/2 genes. CONCLUSION Testing for non-BRCA1 and -2 mutations may be clinically relevant for individuals who are suspected to have a hereditary breast or ovarian cancer syndrome in Chile. Comprehensive genetic testing of individuals who are at high risk is necessary to further characterize the genetic susceptibility to cancer in Chile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Adaniel
- Programa de Alto Riesgo de Cáncer de Mama y Ovario, Clínica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisca Salinas
- Programa de Alto Riesgo de Cáncer de Mama y Ovario, Clínica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan Manuel Donaire
- Programa de Alto Riesgo de Cáncer de Mama y Ovario, Clínica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Maria Eugenia Bravo
- Programa de Alto Riesgo de Cáncer de Mama y Ovario, Clínica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Octavio Peralta
- Programa de Alto Riesgo de Cáncer de Mama y Ovario, Clínica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Hernando Paredes
- Programa de Alto Riesgo de Cáncer de Mama y Ovario, Clínica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nuvia Aliaga
- Programa de Alto Riesgo de Cáncer de Mama y Ovario, Clínica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Antonio Sola
- Programa de Alto Riesgo de Cáncer de Mama y Ovario, Clínica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paulina Neira
- Programa de Alto Riesgo de Cáncer de Mama y Ovario, Clínica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carolina Behnke
- Programa de Alto Riesgo de Cáncer de Mama y Ovario, Clínica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Tulio Rodriguez
- Programa de Alto Riesgo de Cáncer de Mama y Ovario, Clínica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Soledad Torres
- Programa de Alto Riesgo de Cáncer de Mama y Ovario, Clínica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisco Lopez
- Programa de Alto Riesgo de Cáncer de Mama y Ovario, Clínica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudia Hurtado
- Programa de Alto Riesgo de Cáncer de Mama y Ovario, Clínica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
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Wiersma M, Ghinea N, Kerridge I, Lipworth W. 'Treat them into the grave': cancer physicians' attitudes towards the use of high-cost cancer medicines at the end of life. SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH & ILLNESS 2019; 41:343-359. [PMID: 30460710 DOI: 10.1111/1467-9566.12830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The prescribing of high-cost cancer medicines at the end of life has become a focus of criticism, due primarily to concerns about the safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of these medicines in this clinical context. In response to these concerns, a number of interventions have been proposed - frequently focused on improving physician-patient communication at the end of life. Underpinning these strategies is the assumption that the prescribing of high-cost cancer medicines at the end of life is primarily the result of poor communication on the part of cancer physicians. In this paper, we explore the factors perceived by cancer physicians to be driving the use of high-cost cancer medicines at the end of life. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 16 Australian oncologists and haematologists, we demonstrate that these physicians believe that the use of high-cost medicines at the end of life is driven by multiple factors - including individual, interpersonal, socio-cultural and public policy influences. We conclude that these factors, and their interactions, need to be taken into account in the development of public policy and clinical interventions to address the use of high-cost medicines at the end of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Wiersma
- Sydney Health Ethics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Narcyz Ghinea
- Sydney Health Ethics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ian Kerridge
- Sydney Health Ethics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Haematology Department, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Wendy Lipworth
- Sydney Health Ethics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Blencowe H, Moorthie S, Petrou M, Hamamy H, Povey S, Bittles A, Gibbons S, Darlison M, Modell B. Rare single gene disorders: estimating baseline prevalence and outcomes worldwide. J Community Genet 2018; 9:397-406. [PMID: 30109643 PMCID: PMC6167259 DOI: 10.1007/s12687-018-0376-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
As child mortality rates overall are decreasing, non-communicable conditions, such as genetic disorders, constitute an increasing proportion of child mortality, morbidity and disability. To date, policy and public health programmes have focused on common genetic disorders. Rare single gene disorders are an important source of morbidity and premature mortality for affected families. When considered collectively, they account for an important public health burden, which is frequently under-recognised. To document the collective frequency and health burden of rare single gene disorders, it is necessary to aggregate them into large manageable groupings and take account of their family implications, effective interventions and service needs. Here, we present an approach to estimate the burden of these conditions up to 5 years of age in settings without empirical data. This approaches uses population-level demographic data, combined with assumptions based on empirical data from settings with data available, to provide population-level estimates which programmes and policy-makers when planning services can use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Blencowe
- Centre for Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive, and Child Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Mary Petrou
- Institute of Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Hanan Hamamy
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Geneva University, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sue Povey
- University College London, London, UK
| | - Alan Bittles
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia.,Centre for Comparative Genomics, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
| | - Stephen Gibbons
- Department of Geography and Environment, London School of Economics, London, UK
| | - Matthew Darlison
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Community Genetics, Centre for Health Informatics and Multi-professional Education (CHIME), University College London, London, UK.
| | - Bernadette Modell
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Community Genetics, Centre for Health Informatics and Multi-professional Education (CHIME), University College London, London, UK
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Zhong A, Darren B, Loiseau B, He LQB, Chang T, Hill J, Dimaras H. Ethical, social, and cultural issues related to clinical genetic testing and counseling in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. Genet Med 2018; 23:2270-2280. [PMID: 30072741 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-018-0090-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We performed a systematic review of the ethical, social, and cultural issues associated with delivery of genetic services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS We searched 11 databases for studies addressing ethical, social, and/or cultural issues associated with clinical genetic testing and/or counselling performed in LMICs. Narrative synthesis was employed to analyze findings, and resultant themes were mapped onto the social ecological model (PROSPERO #CRD42016042894). RESULTS After reviewing 13,308 articles, 192 met inclusion criteria. Nine themes emerged: (1) genetic counseling has a tendency of being directive, (2) genetic services have psychosocial consequences that require improved support, (3) medical genetics training is inadequate, (4) genetic services are difficult to access, (5) social determinants affect uptake and understanding of genetic services, (6) social stigma is often associated with genetic disease, (7) family values are at risk of disruption by genetic services, (8) religious principles pose barriers to acceptability and utilization of genetic services, and (9) cultural beliefs and practices influence uptake of information and understanding of genetic disease. CONCLUSION We identified a number of complex and interrelated ethical, cultural, and social issues with implications implications for further development of genetic services in LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrina Zhong
- Division of Social and Behavioural Health Sciences, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Canada
| | - Benedict Darren
- Human Biology Program, Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Bethina Loiseau
- Human Biology Program, Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Li Qun Betty He
- Human Biology Program, Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Michael G. DeGroote Medical School, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Trillium Chang
- Human Biology Program, Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jessica Hill
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Helen Dimaras
- Division of Clinical Public Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Child Health Evaluative Sciences Program & The Centre for Global Child Health, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Human Pathology, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
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