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Milne R, Morley KI, Almarri MA, Anwer S, Atutornu J, Baranova EE, Bevan P, Cerezo M, Cong Y, Costa A, Critchley C, Fernow J, Goodhand P, Hasan Q, Hibino A, Houeland G, Howard HC, Hussain SZ, Malmgren CI, Izhevskaya VL, Jędrzejak A, Jinhong C, Kimura M, Kleiderman E, Leach B, Liu K, Mascalzoni D, Mendes Á, Minari J, Nicol D, Niemiec E, Patch C, Pollard J, Prainsack B, Rivière M, Robarts L, Roberts J, Romano V, Sheerah HA, Smith J, Soulier A, Steed C, Stefànsdóttir V, Tandre C, Thorogood A, Voigt TH, Wang N, West AV, Yoshizawa G, Middleton A. Demonstrating trustworthiness when collecting and sharing genomic data: public views across 22 countries. Genome Med 2021; 13:92. [PMID: 34034801 PMCID: PMC8147072 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-021-00903-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Public trust is central to the collection of genomic and health data and the sustainability of genomic research. To merit trust, those involved in collecting and sharing data need to demonstrate they are trustworthy. However, it is unclear what measures are most likely to demonstrate this. METHODS We analyse the 'Your DNA, Your Say' online survey of public perspectives on genomic data sharing including responses from 36,268 individuals across 22 low-, middle- and high-income countries, gathered in 15 languages. We examine how participants perceived the relative value of measures to demonstrate the trustworthiness of those using donated DNA and/or medical information. We examine between-country variation and present a consolidated ranking of measures. RESULTS Providing transparent information about who will benefit from data access was the most important measure to increase trust, endorsed by more than 50% of participants across 20 of 22 countries. It was followed by the option to withdraw data and transparency about who is using data and why. Variation was found for the importance of measures, notably information about sanctions for misuse of data-endorsed by 5% in India but almost 60% in Japan. A clustering analysis suggests alignment between some countries in the assessment of specific measures, such as the UK and Canada, Spain and Mexico and Portugal and Brazil. China and Russia are less closely aligned with other countries in terms of the value of the measures presented. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the importance of transparency about data use and about the goals and potential benefits associated with data sharing, including to whom such benefits accrue. They show that members of the public value knowing what benefits accrue from the use of data. The study highlights the importance of locally sensitive measures to increase trust as genomic data sharing continues globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Milne
- Society and Ethics Research Group, Wellcome Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK.
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SR, UK.
| | - Katherine I Morley
- RAND Europe, Cambridge, CB4 1YG, UK
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Global and Population Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, Australia
| | - Mohamed A Almarri
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
- Department of Forensic Science and Criminology, Dubai Police GHQ, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Jerome Atutornu
- Society and Ethics Research Group, Wellcome Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Elena E Baranova
- Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Moscow, 119049, Russia
| | - Paul Bevan
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Maria Cerezo
- EMBL-EBI, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Yali Cong
- Medical Ethics Program, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Alessia Costa
- Society and Ethics Research Group, Wellcome Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Christine Critchley
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, 3122, Australia
- Centre for Law and Genetics, University of Tasmania, Hobart, 7001, Australia
| | - Josepine Fernow
- Centre for Research Ethics & Bioethics (CRB), Uppsala University, SE-751 22, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Peter Goodhand
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, MaRS Centre, Toronto, M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Qurratulain Hasan
- Department of Genetics & Molecular Medicine, Kamineni Hospitals, Hyderabad, 500 068, India
- SAAZ Genetics, Hyderabad, 500033, India
| | - Aiko Hibino
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, 036-8560, Japan
| | - Gry Houeland
- Centre for Research Ethics & Bioethics (CRB), Uppsala University, SE-751 22, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Heidi C Howard
- Medical Ethics, Lund Universitet, Sölvegatan, 19, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Charlotta Ingvoldstad Malmgren
- Department of Public Health and Caring Scienec, Uppsala University, 751 22, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, 171 76, Solna, Sweden
| | | | | | - Cao Jinhong
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Megumi Kimura
- Institute of Innovation Research, Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo, 186-8603, Japan
| | - Erika Kleiderman
- Centre of Genomics and Policy, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 0G1, Canada
| | | | - Keying Liu
- Public Health, Department of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Deborah Mascalzoni
- Centre for Research Ethics & Bioethics (CRB), Uppsala University, SE-751 22, Uppsala, Sweden
- EURAC, Institute of Biomedicine, 39100, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Álvaro Mendes
- UnIGENe and CGPP - Centre for Predictive and Preventive Genetics, IBMC - Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jusaku Minari
- Uehiro Research Division for iPS Cell Ethics, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Dianne Nicol
- Centre for Law and Genetics, University of Tasmania, Hobart, 7001, Australia
| | - Emilia Niemiec
- Centre for Research Ethics & Bioethics (CRB), Uppsala University, SE-751 22, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Christine Patch
- Society and Ethics Research Group, Wellcome Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
- Genomics England, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | | | - Barbara Prainsack
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, 1010, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Global Health & Social Medicine, King's College London, London, WC2R 2LS, UK
| | | | - Lauren Robarts
- Society and Ethics Research Group, Wellcome Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Jonathan Roberts
- Society and Ethics Research Group, Wellcome Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Virginia Romano
- Centre for Research Ethics & Bioethics (CRB), Uppsala University, SE-751 22, Uppsala, Sweden
- EURAC, Institute of Biomedicine, 39100, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Haytham A Sheerah
- Public Health, Department of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - James Smith
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Alexandra Soulier
- Centre for Research Ethics & Bioethics (CRB), Uppsala University, SE-751 22, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Claire Steed
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Vigdis Stefànsdóttir
- Landspitali, the National University Hospital of Iceland, 101, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Cornelia Tandre
- Centre for Research Ethics & Bioethics (CRB), Uppsala University, SE-751 22, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Adrian Thorogood
- Centre of Genomics and Policy, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 0G1, Canada
| | - Torsten H Voigt
- Institute of Sociology, RWTH Aachen University, 52062, Aachen, Germany
| | - Nan Wang
- Medical Ethics Program, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Anne V West
- Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Bloomington, 47405, USA
| | - Go Yoshizawa
- Work Research Institute (AFI), Oslo Metropolitan University, 0130, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anna Middleton
- Society and Ethics Research Group, Wellcome Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
- Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 8PQ, UK
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Middleton A, Milne R, Almarri MA, Anwer S, Atutornu J, Baranova EE, Bevan P, Cerezo M, Cong Y, Critchley C, Fernow J, Goodhand P, Hasan Q, Hibino A, Houeland G, Howard HC, Hussain SZ, Malmgren CI, Izhevskaya VL, Jędrzejak A, Jinhong C, Kimura M, Kleiderman E, Leach B, Liu K, Mascalzoni D, Mendes Á, Minari J, Wang N, Nicol D, Niemiec E, Patch C, Pollard J, Prainsack B, Rivière M, Robarts L, Roberts J, Romano V, Sheerah HA, Smith J, Soulier A, Steed C, Stefànsdóttir V, Tandre C, Thorogood A, Voigt TH, West AV, Yoshizawa G, Morley KI. Global Public Perceptions of Genomic Data Sharing: What Shapes the Willingness to Donate DNA and Health Data? Am J Hum Genet 2020; 107:743-752. [PMID: 32946764 PMCID: PMC7536612 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2020.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Analyzing genomic data across populations is central to understanding the role of genetic factors in health and disease. Successful data sharing relies on public support, which requires attention to whether people around the world are willing to donate their data that are then subsequently shared with others for research. However, studies of such public perceptions are geographically limited and do not enable comparison. This paper presents results from a very large public survey on attitudes toward genomic data sharing. Data from 36,268 individuals across 22 countries (gathered in 15 languages) are presented. In general, publics across the world do not appear to be aware of, nor familiar with, the concepts of DNA, genetics, and genomics. Willingness to donate one's DNA and health data for research is relatively low, and trust in the process of data's being shared with multiple users (e.g., doctors, researchers, governments) is also low. Participants were most willing to donate DNA or health information for research when the recipient was specified as a medical doctor and least willing to donate when the recipient was a for-profit researcher. Those who were familiar with genetics and who were trusting of the users asking for data were more likely to be willing to donate. However, less than half of participants trusted more than one potential user of data, although this varied across countries. Genetic information was not uniformly seen as different from other forms of health information, but there was an association between seeing genetic information as special in some way compared to other health data and increased willingness to donate. The global perspective provided by our "Your DNA, Your Say" study is valuable for informing the development of international policy and practice for sharing genomic data. It highlights that the research community not only needs to be worthy of trust by the public, but also urgent steps need to be taken to authentically communicate why genomic research is necessary and how data donation, and subsequent sharing, is integral to this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Middleton
- Society and Ethics Research Group, Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK; Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 8PQ, UK.
| | - Richard Milne
- Society and Ethics Research Group, Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK; Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0SR, UK
| | | | | | - Jerome Atutornu
- Society and Ethics Research Group, Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Elena E Baranova
- Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Moscow 119049, Russia
| | - Paul Bevan
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Maria Cerezo
- EMBL-EBI, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Yali Cong
- Medical Ethics Program, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Christine Critchley
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia; Centre for Law and Genetics, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Josepine Fernow
- Centre for Ethics & Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751 22, Sweden
| | - Peter Goodhand
- Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, MaRS Centre, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Qurratulain Hasan
- Department of Genetics & Molecular Medicine, Kamineni Hospitals, Hyderabad 500 068, India; SAAZ Genetics, Hyderabad 500033, India
| | - Aiko Hibino
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki 036-8560, Japan
| | - Gry Houeland
- Centre for Ethics & Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751 22, Sweden
| | - Heidi C Howard
- Centre for Ethics & Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751 22, Sweden; Medical Ethics, Lund Universitet, Lund SE-221 00, Sweden
| | | | - Charlotta Ingvoldstad Malmgren
- Department of Public Health and Caring Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala 751 22, Sweden; Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Solna 171 76, Sweden
| | | | | | - Cao Jinhong
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Megumi Kimura
- Institute of Innovation Research, Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo 186-8603, Japan
| | - Erika Kleiderman
- Centre of Genomics and Policy, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada
| | | | - Keying Liu
- Public Health, Department of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Deborah Mascalzoni
- EURAC, Institute of Biomedicine, Bolzano 39100, Italy; Centre for Ethics & Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751 22, Sweden
| | - Álvaro Mendes
- UnIGENe and CGPP (Centre for Predictive and Preventive Genetics), IBMC (Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology), i3S (Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde), Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Jusaku Minari
- Uehiro Research Division for iPS Cell Ethics, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Nan Wang
- Medical Ethics Program, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Dianne Nicol
- Centre for Law and Genetics, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Emilia Niemiec
- Centre for Ethics & Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751 22, Sweden
| | - Christine Patch
- Society and Ethics Research Group, Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK; Genomics England, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | | | - Barbara Prainsack
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Vienna 1010, Austria; Department of Global Health & Social Medicine, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | | | - Lauren Robarts
- Society and Ethics Research Group, Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Jonathan Roberts
- Society and Ethics Research Group, Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Virginia Romano
- Centre for Ethics & Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751 22, Sweden; EURAC, Institute of Biomedicine, Bolzano 39100, Italy
| | - Haytham A Sheerah
- Public Health, Department of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - James Smith
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Alexandra Soulier
- Centre for Ethics & Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751 22, Sweden
| | - Claire Steed
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Vigdís Stefànsdóttir
- Landspitali, the National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavík 101, Iceland
| | - Cornelia Tandre
- Centre for Ethics & Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala SE-751 22, Sweden
| | - Adrian Thorogood
- Centre of Genomics and Policy, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada
| | - Torsten H Voigt
- Institute of Sociology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52062, Germany
| | - Anne V West
- Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Go Yoshizawa
- Work Research Institute (AFI), Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo 0130, Norway
| | - Katherine I Morley
- RAND Europe, Cambridge CB4 1YG, UK; Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK; Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Global and Population Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
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Voigt TH, Holtz V, Niemiec E, Howard HC, Middleton A, Prainsack B. Willingness to donate genomic and other medical data: results from Germany. Eur J Hum Genet 2020; 28:1000-1009. [PMID: 32238912 PMCID: PMC7381614 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-020-0611-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper reports findings from Germany-based participants in the “Your DNA, Your Say” study, a collaborative effort among researchers in more than 20 countries across the world to explore public attitudes, values and opinions towards willingness to donate genomic and other personal data for use by others. Based on a representative sample of German residents (n = 1506) who completed the German-language version of the survey, we found that views of genetic exceptionalism were less prevalent in the German-language arm of the study than in the English-language arm (43% versus 52%). Also, people’s willingness to make their data available for research was lower in the German than in the English-language samples of the study (56% versus 67%). In the German sample, those who were more familiar with genetics, and those holding views of genetic exceptionalism were more likely to be willing to donate data than others. We explain these findings with reference to the important role that the “right of informational self-determination” plays in German public discourse. Rather than being a particularly strict interpretation of privacy in the sense of a right to be left alone, the German understanding of informational self-determination bestows on each citizen the responsibility to carefully consider how their personal data should be used to protect important rights and to serve the public good.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten H Voigt
- Institute of Sociology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Verena Holtz
- Institute of Sociology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Emilia Niemiec
- Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Heidi C Howard
- Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Middleton
- Society and Ethics Research, Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK.,Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Barbara Prainsack
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Global Health & Social Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
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Kalokairinou L, Borry P, Howard HC. 'It's much more grey than black and white': clinical geneticists' views on the oversight of consumer genomics in Europe. Per Med 2020; 17:129-140. [PMID: 32154757 DOI: 10.2217/pme-2019-0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Aim: Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests (GT) have created controversy regarding their risks and benefits. In view of recent regulatory developments, this article aims to explore the attitudes of European clinical geneticists toward the oversight of DTC GT. Materials & methods: Fifteen semi-structured interviews were performed with clinical geneticists based in ten European countries. The transcripts were thematically analysized in an iterative process. Results & conclusion: Respondents strongly supported quality standards for DTC GT equal to those applied within the healthcare setting. Despite participants unanimously considering the involvement of healthcare professionals to be important, mandatory medical supervision was controversial. In this regard, promoting education and truth-in-advertising was considered as being key in maintaining a balance between protecting consumers and promoting their autonomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louiza Kalokairinou
- Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Centre for Biomedical Ethics & Law, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pascal Borry
- Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Centre for Biomedical Ethics & Law, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Heidi C Howard
- Centre for Research Ethics & Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Middleton A, Milne R, Thorogood A, Kleiderman E, Niemiec E, Prainsack B, Farley L, Bevan P, Steed C, Smith J, Vears D, Atutornu J, Howard HC, Morley KI. Attitudes of publics who are unwilling to donate DNA data for research. Eur J Med Genet 2019; 62:316-323. [PMID: 30476628 PMCID: PMC6582635 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2018.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
With the use of genetic technology, researchers have the potential to inform medical diagnoses and treatment in actionable ways. Accurate variant interpretation is a necessary condition for the utility of genetic technology to unfold. This relies on the ability to access large genomic datasets so that comparisons can be made between variants of interest. This can only be successful if DNA and medical data are donated by large numbers of people to 'research', including clinical, non-profit and for-profit research initiatives, in order to be accessed by scientists and clinicians worldwide. The objective of the 'Your DNA, Your Say' global survey is to explore public attitudes, values and opinions towards willingness to donate and concerns regarding the donation of one's personal data for use by others. Using a representative sample of 8967 English-speaking publics from the UK, the USA, Canada and Australia, we explore the characteristics of people who are unwilling (n = 1426) to donate their DNA and medical information, together with an exploration of their reasons. Understanding this perspective is important for making sense of the interaction between science and society. It also helps to focus engagement initiatives on the issues of concern to some publics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Middleton
- Society and Ethics Research, Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK; Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Richard Milne
- Society and Ethics Research, Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK; Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Adrian Thorogood
- Centre of Genomics and Policy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Erika Kleiderman
- Centre of Genomics and Policy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Emilia Niemiec
- Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Barbara Prainsack
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Austria; Department of Global Health & Social Medicine, King's College London, UK
| | - Lauren Farley
- Society and Ethics Research, Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Paul Bevan
- Web Team, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Claire Steed
- Web Team, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - James Smith
- Web Team, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Danya Vears
- Center for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Biomedical Ethics Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia
| | - Jerome Atutornu
- Society and Ethics Research, Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK; Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; School of Health Sciences, University of Suffolk, Ipswich, UK
| | - Heidi C Howard
- Society and Ethics Research, Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK; Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Katherine I Morley
- Society and Ethics Research, Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK; Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Global and Population Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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6
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Vears DF, Niemiec E, Howard HC, Borry P. How do consent forms for diagnostic high-throughput sequencing address unsolicited and secondary findings? A content analysis. Clin Genet 2018; 94:321-329. [PMID: 29888485 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Whole exome and whole genome sequencing are increasingly being offered to patients in the clinical setting. Yet, the question of whether, and to what extent, unsolicited findings (UF) and/or secondary findings (SF) should be returned to patients remains open and little is known about how diagnostic consent forms address this issue. We systematically identified consent forms for diagnostic genomic sequencing online and used inductive content analysis to determine if and how they discuss reporting of UF and SF, and whether patients are given options regarding the return of these results. Fifty-four forms representing 38 laboratories/clinics were analyzed. A quarter of the forms did not mention UF or SF. Forms used a variety of terms to discuss UF and SF, sometimes using these interchangeably or incorrectly. Reporting policies for UF varied: 5 forms stated that UF will not be returned, 15 indicated UF may be returned, and 28 did not specify their policy. One-third indicated their laboratory returns SF. Addressing inconsistent terminology and providing sufficient information about UF/SF in consent forms will increase patient understanding and help ensure adequate informed consent.
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Affiliation(s)
- D F Vears
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Institute for Human Genomics and Society, Leuven, Belgium
| | - E Niemiec
- Erasmus Mundus Joint International Doctoral (PhD) Degree Programme in Law, Science and Technology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Law, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Centre for Ethics and Law in the Life Sciences, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany.,Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - H C Howard
- Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - P Borry
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Institute for Human Genomics and Society, Leuven, Belgium
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Middleton A, Niemiec E, Prainsack B, Bobe J, Farley L, Steed C, Smith J, Bevan P, Bonhomme N, Kleiderman E, Thorogood A, Schickhardt C, Garattini C, Vears D, Littler K, Banner N, Scott E, Kovalevskaya NV, Levin E, Morley KI, Howard HC. 'Your DNA, Your Say': global survey gathering attitudes toward genomics: design, delivery and methods. Per Med 2018; 15:311-318. [PMID: 29856292 DOI: 10.2217/pme-2018-0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Our international study, 'Your DNA, Your Say', uses film and an online cross-sectional survey to gather public attitudes toward the donation, access and sharing of DNA information. We describe the methodological approach used to create an engaging and bespoke survey, suitable for translation into many different languages. We address some of the particular challenges in designing a survey on the subject of genomics. In order to understand the significance of a genomic result, researchers and clinicians alike use external databases containing DNA and medical information from thousands of people. We ask how publics would like their 'anonymous' data to be used (or not to be used) and whether they are concerned by the potential risks of reidentification; the results will be used to inform policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Middleton
- Society & Ethics Research, Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK.,Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Emilia Niemiec
- Centre for Research Ethics & Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Barbara Prainsack
- Department of Global Health & Social Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jason Bobe
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY 10029, USA
| | - Lauren Farley
- Society & Ethics Research, Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Claire Steed
- Web Team, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - James Smith
- Web Team, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Paul Bevan
- Web Team, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Natasha Bonhomme
- Expecting Health, Genetic Alliance, Washington, DC 20008-2369, USA
| | - Erika Kleiderman
- Centre of Genomics & Policy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Adrian Thorogood
- Centre of Genomics & Policy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Christoph Schickhardt
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Danya Vears
- Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Centre for Biomedical Ethics & Law, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Erick Scott
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY 10029, USA
| | | | - Elissa Levin
- Policy & Clinical Affairs, Helix OpCo LLC, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Katherine I Morley
- Society & Ethics Research, Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK.,National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.,Centre for Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Global & Population Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Heidi C Howard
- Society & Ethics Research, Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK.,Centre for Research Ethics & Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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8
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de Wert G, Pennings G, Clarke A, Eichenlaub-Ritter U, van El CG, Forzano F, Goddijn M, Heindryckx B, Howard HC, Radojkovic D, Rial-Sebbag E, Tarlatzis BC, Cornel MC. Human germline gene editing: Recommendations of ESHG and ESHRE. Eur J Hum Genet 2018; 26:445-449. [PMID: 29326428 PMCID: PMC5891496 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-017-0076-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Technological developments in gene editing raise high expectations for clinical applications, first of all for somatic gene editing but in theory also for germline gene editing (GLGE). GLGE is currently not allowed in many countries. This makes clinical applications in these countries impossible now, even if GLGE would become safe and effective. What were the arguments behind this legislation, and are they still convincing? If a technique can help to avoid serious genetic disorders, in a safe and effective way, would this be a reason to reconsider earlier standpoints? The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) together developed a Background document and Recommendations to inform and stimulate ongoing societal debates. After consulting its membership and experts, this final version of the Recommendations was endorsed by the Executive Committee and the Board of the respective Societies in May 2017. Taking account of ethical arguments, we argue that both basic and pre-clinical research regarding GLGE can be justified, with conditions. Furthermore, while clinical GLGE would be totally premature, it might become a responsible intervention in the future, but only after adequate pre-clinical research. Safety of the child and future generations is a major concern. Future discussions must also address priorities among reproductive and potential non-reproductive alternatives, such as PGD and somatic editing, if that would be safe and successful. The prohibition of human germline modification, however, needs renewed discussion among relevant stakeholders, including the general public and legislators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido de Wert
- Department of Health, Ethics and Society, Research Institutes GROW and CAPHRI, Fac. of Health, Medicine and the Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Guido Pennings
- Bioethics Institute Ghent, Department of Philosophy and Moral Science, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Angus Clarke
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Ursula Eichenlaub-Ritter
- Institute of Gene Technology/Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Carla G van El
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Section Community Genetics, and Amsterdam Public Health research institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Francesca Forzano
- Clinical Genetics Department, Guy's Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mariëtte Goddijn
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam-Zuidoost, The Netherlands
| | - Björn Heindryckx
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Heidi C Howard
- Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dragica Radojkovic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Basil C Tarlatzis
- 1st Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Martina C Cornel
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Section Community Genetics, and Amsterdam Public Health research institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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9
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De Wert G, Heindryckx B, Pennings G, Clarke A, Eichenlaub-Ritter U, van El CG, Forzano F, Goddijn M, Howard HC, Radojkovic D, Rial-Sebbag E, Dondorp W, Tarlatzis BC, Cornel MC. Responsible innovation in human germline gene editing: Background document to the recommendations of ESHG and ESHRE. Eur J Hum Genet 2018; 26:450-470. [PMID: 29326429 PMCID: PMC5891502 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-017-0077-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Technological developments in gene editing raise high expectations for clinical applications, including editing of the germline. The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) together developed a Background document and Recommendations to inform and stimulate ongoing societal debates. This document provides the background to the Recommendations. Germline gene editing is currently not allowed in many countries. This makes clinical applications in these countries impossible now, even if germline gene editing would become safe and effective. What were the arguments behind this legislation, and are they still convincing? If a technique could help to avoid serious genetic disorders, in a safe and effective way, would this be a reason to reconsider earlier standpoints? This Background document summarizes the scientific developments and expectations regarding germline gene editing, legal regulations at the European level, and ethics for three different settings (basic research, preclinical research and clinical applications). In ethical terms, we argue that the deontological objections (e.g., gene editing goes against nature) do not seem convincing while consequentialist objections (e.g., safety for the children thus conceived and following generations) require research, not all of which is allowed in the current legal situation in European countries. Development of this Background document and Recommendations reflects the responsibility to help society understand and debate the full range of possible implications of the new technologies, and to contribute to regulations that are adapted to the dynamics of the field while taking account of ethical considerations and societal concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido De Wert
- Department of Health, Ethics and Society, Research Institutes GROW and CAPHRI, Faculty of Health, Medicine and the Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Björn Heindryckx
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Guido Pennings
- Bioethics Institute Ghent, Department of Philosophy and Moral Science, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Angus Clarke
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Ursula Eichenlaub-Ritter
- Institute of Gene Technology/Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Carla G van El
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Section Community Genetics and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Francesca Forzano
- Clinical Genetics Department, Guy's Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mariëtte Goddijn
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam-Zuidoost, The Netherlands
| | - Heidi C Howard
- Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dragica Radojkovic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Wybo Dondorp
- Department of Health, Ethics and Society, Research Institutes GROW and CAPHRI, Faculty of Health, Medicine and the Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Basil C Tarlatzis
- 1st Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Martina C Cornel
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Section Community Genetics and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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10
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Kalokairinou L, Howard HC, Slokenberga S, Fisher E, Flatscher-Thöni M, Hartlev M, van Hellemondt R, Juškevičius J, Kapelenska-Pregowska J, Kováč P, Lovrečić L, Nys H, de Paor A, Phillips A, Prudil L, Rial-Sebbag E, Romeo Casabona CM, Sándor J, Schuster A, Soini S, Søvig KH, Stoffel D, Titma T, Trokanas T, Borry P. Legislation of direct-to-consumer genetic testing in Europe: a fragmented regulatory landscape. J Community Genet 2018; 9:117-132. [PMID: 29150824 PMCID: PMC5849704 DOI: 10.1007/s12687-017-0344-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the increasing availability of direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing, it is currently unclear how such services are regulated in Europe, due to the lack of EU or national legislation specifically addressing this issue. In this article, we provide an overview of laws that could potentially impact the regulation of DTC genetic testing in 26 European countries, namely Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Emphasis is placed on provisions relating to medical supervision, genetic counselling and informed consent. Our results indicate that currently there is a wide spectrum of laws regarding genetic testing in Europe. There are countries (e.g. France and Germany) which essentially ban DTC genetic testing, while in others (e.g. Luxembourg and Poland) DTC genetic testing may only be restricted by general laws, usually regarding health care services and patients' rights.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Kalokairinou
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Biomedical Law and Ethics, University of Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, Box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - H C Howard
- Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - S Slokenberga
- Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Faculty of Law, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - E Fisher
- Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Flatscher-Thöni
- Institute of Public Health, Medical Decision Making and Health Technology Assessment, UMIT - University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - M Hartlev
- Faculty of Law, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - J Juškevičius
- Faculty of Law, Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - P Kováč
- Forensic.sk Inštitút forenzných medicínskych expertíz s.r.o, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Criminal Law and Criminology, Faculty of Law, Trnava University, Trnava, Slovakia
| | - L Lovrečić
- Clinical Institute of Medical Genetics, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - H Nys
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Biomedical Law and Ethics, University of Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, Box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - A de Paor
- School of Law and Government, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - A Phillips
- School of Law, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - L Prudil
- AK PRUDIL a spol, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - E Rial-Sebbag
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Paris, France
| | | | - J Sándor
- Faculty of Political Science, Legal Studies and Gender Studies of the Central European University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - A Schuster
- Department of Legal Sciences, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - S Soini
- Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - K H Søvig
- Faculty of law, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - D Stoffel
- University Paris-Est Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - T Titma
- School of Governance, Law and Society, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia
- School of Information Technologies, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - T Trokanas
- School of Law, European University of Cyprus, Egkomi, Cyprus
| | - P Borry
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Biomedical Law and Ethics, University of Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, Box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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11
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de Wert G, Pennings G, Clarke A, Eichenlaub-Ritter U, van El CG, Forzano F, Goddijn M, Heindryckx B, Howard HC, Radojkovic D, Rial-Sebbag E, Tarlatzis BC, Cornel MC. Human germline gene editing. Recommendations of ESHG and ESHRE. Hum Reprod Open 2018; 2018:hox025. [PMID: 31490463 PMCID: PMC6276661 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hox025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Technological developments in gene editing raise high expectations for clinical applications, first of all for somatic gene editing but in theory also for germline gene editing (GLGE). GLGE is currently not allowed in many countries. This makes clinical applications in these countries impossible now, even if GLGE would become safe and effective. What were the arguments behind this legislation, and are they still convincing? If a technique can help to avoid serious genetic disorders, in a safe and effective way, would this be a reason to reconsider earlier standpoints? The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) together developed a Background document and Recommendations to inform and stimulate ongoing societal debates. After consulting its membership and experts, this final version of the Recommendations was endorsed by the Executive Committee and the Board of the respective Societies in May 2017. Taking account of ethical arguments, we argue that both basic and pre-clinical research regarding human GLGE can be justified, with conditions. Furthermore, while clinical GLGE would be totally premature, it might become a responsible intervention in the future, but only after adequate pre-clinical research. Safety of the child and future generations is a major concern. Future discussions must also address priorities among reproductive and potential non-reproductive alternatives, such as PGD and somatic editing, if that would be safe and successful. The prohibition of human germline modification, however, needs renewed discussion among relevant stakeholders, including the general public and legislators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido de Wert
- Department of Health, Ethics and Society, Research Institutes GROW and CAPHRI, Fac. of Health, Medicine and the Life Sciences, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Guido Pennings
- Department of Philosophy and Moral Science, Bioethics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, Blandijnberg 2, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Angus Clarke
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN Wales, UK
| | - Ursula Eichenlaub-Ritter
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Gene Technology/Microbiology, University of Bielefeld, Postfach 10 01 31, Bielefeld D-33501 Germany
| | - Carla G van El
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Section Community Genetics, and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Francesca Forzano
- Clinical Genetics Department, Guy's Hospital, 7th Floor Borough Wing, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Mariëtte Goddijn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Björn Heindryckx
- Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Ghent University Hospital, C. Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Heidi C Howard
- Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics, Uppsala University, Box564, SE-751 22 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dragica Radojkovic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, PO Box 23, 11010 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Emmanuelle Rial-Sebbag
- Emmanuelle Rial-Sebbag, UMR 1027, Inserm, Université de Toulouse-Université Paul Sabatier-Toulouse III, allées Jules Guesdes 37, 31073 Toulouse Cedex, France
| | - Basil C Tarlatzis
- 1st Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 9 Agias Sofias Str., 546 23 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Martina C Cornel
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Section Community Genetics, and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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12
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de Wert G, Heindryckx B, Pennings G, Clarke A, Eichenlaub-Ritter U, van El CG, Forzano F, Goddijn M, Howard HC, Radojkovic D, Rial-Sebbag E, Dondorp W, Tarlatzis BC, Cornel MC. Responsible innovation in human germline gene editing. Background document to the recommendations of ESHG and ESHRE. Hum Reprod Open 2018; 2018:hox024. [PMID: 31490459 PMCID: PMC6276657 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hox024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Technological developments in gene editing raise high expectations for clinical applications, including editing of the germline. The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) together developed a Background document and Recommendations to inform and stimulate ongoing societal debates. This document provides the background to the Recommendations. Germline gene editing is currently not allowed in many countries. This makes clinical applications in these countries impossible now, even if germline gene editing would become safe and effective. What were the arguments behind this legislation, and are they still convincing? If a technique could help to avoid serious genetic disorders, in a safe and effective way, would this be a reason to reconsider earlier standpoints? This Background document summarizes the scientific developments and expectations regarding germline gene editing, legal regulations at the European level, and ethics for three different settings (basic research, pre-clinical research and clinical applications). In ethical terms, we argue that the deontological objections (e.g. gene editing goes against nature) do not seem convincing while consequentialist objections (e.g. safety for the children thus conceived and following generations) require research, not all of which is allowed in the current legal situation in European countries. Development of this Background document and Recommendations reflects the responsibility to help society understand and debate the full range of possible implications of the new technologies, and to contribute to regulations that are adapted to the dynamics of the field while taking account of ethical considerations and societal concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido de Wert
- Department of Health, Ethics and Society, Research Institutes GROW and CAPHRI, Fac. of Health, Medicine and the Life Sciences, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Björn Heindryckx
- Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Ghent University Hospital, C. Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Guido Pennings
- Department of Philosophy and Moral Science, Bioethics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, Blandijnberg 2, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Angus Clarke
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, Wales, UK
| | - Ursula Eichenlaub-Ritter
- Institute of Gene Technology/Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bielefeld, Postfach 10 01 31, Bielefeld D-33501Germany
| | - Carla G van El
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Section Community Genetics, and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Francesca Forzano
- Clinical Genetics Department, Guy’s Hospital, 7th Floor Borough Wing, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Mariëtte Goddijn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Heidi C Howard
- Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics; Uppsala University, Box564, SE-751 22 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dragica Radojkovic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, PO Box 23, 11010 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Emmanuelle Rial-Sebbag
- Emmanuelle Rial-Sebbag, UMR 1027, Inserm, Université de Toulouse—Université Paul Sabatier—Toulouse III, Allées Jules Guesdes 37, 31073 Toulouse Cedex, France
| | - Wybo Dondorp
- Department of Health, Ethics and Society, Research Institutes GROW and CAPHRI, Fac. of Health, Medicine and the Life Sciences, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Basil C Tarlatzis
- 1st Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 9 Agias Sofias Str., 546 23 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Martina C Cornel
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Section Community Genetics, and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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13
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Howard HC, van El CG, Forzano F, Radojkovic D, Rial-Sebbag E, de Wert G, Borry P, Cornel MC. One small edit for humans, one giant edit for humankind? Points and questions to consider for a responsible way forward for gene editing in humans. Eur J Hum Genet 2018; 26:1-11. [PMID: 29192152 PMCID: PMC5839051 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-017-0024-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 09/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene editing, which allows for specific location(s) in the genome to be targeted and altered by deleting, adding or substituting nucleotides, is currently the subject of important academic and policy discussions. With the advent of efficient tools, such as CRISPR-Cas9, the plausibility of using gene editing safely in humans for either somatic or germ line gene editing is being considered seriously. Beyond safety issues, somatic gene editing in humans does raise ethical, legal and social issues (ELSI), however, it is suggested to be less challenging to existing ethical and legal frameworks; indeed somatic gene editing is already applied in (pre-) clinical trials. In contrast, the notion of altering the germ line or embryo such that alterations could be heritable in humans raises a large number of ELSI; it is currently debated whether it should even be allowed in the context of basic research. Even greater ELSI debates address the potential use of germ line or embryo gene editing for clinical purposes, which, at the moment is not being conducted and is prohibited in several jurisdictions. In the context of these ongoing debates surrounding gene editing, we present herein guidance to further discussion and investigation by highlighting three crucial areas that merit the most attention, time and resources at this stage in the responsible development and use of gene editing technologies: (1) conducting careful scientific research and disseminating results to build a solid evidence base; (2) conducting ethical, legal and social issues research; and (3) conducting meaningful stakeholder engagement, education and dialogue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi C Howard
- Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Carla G van El
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Section Community Genetics and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Francesca Forzano
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Dragica Radojkovic
- Laboratory for Molecular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Emmanuelle Rial-Sebbag
- UMR 1027, Inserm, Faculté de médecine Université Toulouse 3, Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Guido de Wert
- Department of Health, Ethics and Society, Research Schools CAPHRI and GROW, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Pascal Borry
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven Institute for Genomics and Society, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35 Box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Martina C Cornel
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Section Community Genetics and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Henneman L, Borry P, Chokoshvili D, Cornel MC, van El CG, Forzano F, Hall A, Howard HC, Janssens S, Kayserili H, Lakeman P, Lucassen A, Metcalfe SA, Vidmar L, de Wert G, Dondorp WJ, Peterlin B. Responsible implementation of expanded carrier screening. Eur J Hum Genet 2017; 25:1291. [PMID: 29023436 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2017.159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2015.271.
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Oliveri S, Howard HC, Renzi C, Hansson MG, Pravettoni G. Anxiety delivered direct-to-consumer: are we asking the right questions about the impacts of DTC genetic testing? J Med Genet 2016; 53:798-799. [PMID: 27647845 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2016-104184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Serena Oliveri
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, Interdisciplinary Research Center on Decision Making Processes IRIDe, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, Milan, Italy
| | - Heidi C Howard
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Centre for Research Ethics & Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Chiara Renzi
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, Milan, Italy
| | - Mats G Hansson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Centre for Research Ethics & Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gabriella Pravettoni
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, Interdisciplinary Research Center on Decision Making Processes IRIDe, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, Milan, Italy
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Henneman L, Borry P, Chokoshvili D, Cornel MC, van El CG, Forzano F, Hall A, Howard HC, Janssens S, Kayserili H, Lakeman P, Lucassen A, Metcalfe SA, Vidmar L, de Wert G, Dondorp WJ, Peterlin B. Responsible implementation of expanded carrier screening. Eur J Hum Genet 2016; 24:e1-e12. [PMID: 26980105 PMCID: PMC4867464 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2015.271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Revised: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This document of the European Society of Human Genetics contains recommendations regarding responsible implementation of expanded carrier screening. Carrier screening is defined here as the detection of carrier status of recessive diseases in couples or persons who do not have an a priori increased risk of being a carrier based on their or their partners' personal or family history. Expanded carrier screening offers carrier screening for multiple autosomal and X-linked recessive disorders, facilitated by new genetic testing technologies, and allows testing of individuals regardless of ancestry or geographic origin. Carrier screening aims to identify couples who have an increased risk of having an affected child in order to facilitate informed reproductive decision making. In previous decades, carrier screening was typically performed for one or few relatively common recessive disorders associated with significant morbidity, reduced life-expectancy and often because of a considerable higher carrier frequency in a specific population for certain diseases. New genetic testing technologies enable the expansion of screening to multiple conditions, genes or sequence variants. Expanded carrier screening panels that have been introduced to date have been advertised and offered to health care professionals and the public on a commercial basis. This document discusses the challenges that expanded carrier screening might pose in the context of the lessons learnt from decades of population-based carrier screening and in the context of existing screening criteria. It aims to contribute to the public and professional discussion and to arrive at better clinical and laboratory practice guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidewij Henneman
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Section Community Genetics and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pascal Borry
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Davit Chokoshvili
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Centre for Medical Genetics Ghent, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Martina C Cornel
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Section Community Genetics and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carla G van El
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Section Community Genetics and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Heidi C Howard
- Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sandra Janssens
- Centre for Medical Genetics Ghent, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hülya Kayserili
- Department of Medical Genetics, Koç University School of Medicine (KUSoM), Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Phillis Lakeman
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anneke Lucassen
- Department of Clinical Ethics and Law (CELS), University of Southampton and Wessex Clinical Genetic Service, Southampton, UK
| | - Sylvia A Metcalfe
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Lovro Vidmar
- Clinical Institute of Medical Genetics, Ljubljana University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Guido de Wert
- Department of Health, Ethics & Society, Research Schools CAPHRI and GROW, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Wybo J Dondorp
- Department of Health, Ethics & Society, Research Schools CAPHRI and GROW, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Borut Peterlin
- Clinical Institute of Medical Genetics, Ljubljana University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Dondorp W, de Wert G, Bombard Y, Bianchi DW, Bergmann C, Borry P, Chitty LS, Fellmann F, Forzano F, Hall A, Henneman L, Howard HC, Lucassen A, Ormond K, Peterlin B, Radojkovic D, Rogowski W, Soller M, Tibben A, Tranebjærg L, van El CG, Cornel MC. Non-invasive prenatal testing for aneuploidy and beyond: challenges of responsible innovation in prenatal screening. Eur J Hum Genet 2016; 23:1592. [PMID: 26468681 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2015.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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Abstract
Over the past years, direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing has provoked controversy regarding its still questionable risks and benefits. The safety and performance of such devices, when entering the European market, are currently regulated by the Directive 98/79 EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on in vitro diagnostic medical devices. In September 2012, a new Regulation was proposed to replace this Directive, and the legislative process is still ongoing. This article presents the main points of the European Commission’s proposal for the new Regulation and the subsequent amendments voted by the European Parliament, aiming to evaluate the potential contribution of the proposal for a more effective regulation of DTC genetic testing in Europe. In this regard, the proposal seems to enhance the current regulatory framework by further elucidating the scope of the Regulation and by establishing a risk-based classification system that guarantees increased pre-market scrutiny of the tests. Furthermore, the proposal attempts to establish higher safety and performance requirements and to enhance transparency. In addition, the European Parliament introduced amendments according to which appropriate genetic counselling is required in the context of genetic tests, and such tests are classified as prescription only, banning, at the same time, their DTC advertising. These developments have already provoked controversy among stakeholders and, if eventually adopted, they may lead to a radical change in the European DTC genetic testing landscape. In this light, the political decisions that will be taken imminently will be determinant.
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Dondorp W, de Wert G, Bombard Y, Bianchi DW, Bergmann C, Borry P, Chitty LS, Fellmann F, Forzano F, Hall A, Henneman L, Howard HC, Lucassen A, Ormond K, Peterlin B, Radojkovic D, Rogowski W, Soller M, Tibben A, Tranebjærg L, van El CG, Cornel MC. Non-invasive prenatal testing for aneuploidy and beyond: challenges of responsible innovation in prenatal screening. Eur J Hum Genet 2015; 23:1438-50. [PMID: 25782669 PMCID: PMC4613463 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2015.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Revised: 02/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper contains a joint ESHG/ASHG position document with recommendations regarding responsible innovation in prenatal screening with non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). By virtue of its greater accuracy and safety with respect to prenatal screening for common autosomal aneuploidies, NIPT has the potential of helping the practice better achieve its aim of facilitating autonomous reproductive choices, provided that balanced pretest information and non-directive counseling are available as part of the screening offer. Depending on the health-care setting, different scenarios for NIPT-based screening for common autosomal aneuploidies are possible. The trade-offs involved in these scenarios should be assessed in light of the aim of screening, the balance of benefits and burdens for pregnant women and their partners and considerations of cost-effectiveness and justice. With improving screening technologies and decreasing costs of sequencing and analysis, it will become possible in the near future to significantly expand the scope of prenatal screening beyond common autosomal aneuploidies. Commercial providers have already begun expanding their tests to include sex-chromosomal abnormalities and microdeletions. However, multiple false positives may undermine the main achievement of NIPT in the context of prenatal screening: the significant reduction of the invasive testing rate. This document argues for a cautious expansion of the scope of prenatal screening to serious congenital and childhood disorders, only following sound validation studies and a comprehensive evaluation of all relevant aspects. A further core message of this document is that in countries where prenatal screening is offered as a public health programme, governments and public health authorities should adopt an active role to ensure the responsible innovation of prenatal screening on the basis of ethical principles. Crucial elements are the quality of the screening process as a whole (including non-laboratory aspects such as information and counseling), education of professionals, systematic evaluation of all aspects of prenatal screening, development of better evaluation tools in the light of the aim of the practice, accountability to all stakeholders including children born from screened pregnancies and persons living with the conditions targeted in prenatal screening and promotion of equity of access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wybo Dondorp
- Department of Health, Ethics & Society, Research Schools CAPHRI and GROW, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Guido de Wert
- Department of Health, Ethics & Society, Research Schools CAPHRI and GROW, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Yvonne Bombard
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St Michael's Hospital & Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Diana W Bianchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carsten Bergmann
- Center for Human Genetics Bioscientia, Ingelheim, Germany
- Department of Medicine, University Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Pascal Borry
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Leuven University, Belgium
| | - Lyn S Chitty
- Clinical and Molecular Genetics Unit, UCL Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital and UCLH NHS Foundations Trusts, London, UK
| | - Florence Fellmann
- Service of Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Lidewij Henneman
- Section Community Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Heidi C Howard
- Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anneke Lucassen
- Department of Clinical Ethics and Law (CELS), University of Southampton and Wessex Clinical Genetic Service, Southampton, UK
| | - Kelly Ormond
- Department of Genetics and Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Borut Peterlin
- Clinical Institute of Medical Genetics, Ljubljana University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Dragica Radojkovic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (IMGGE), University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Wolf Rogowski
- Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt, Helmholtz Zentrum, München, Germany
| | - Maria Soller
- Division Clinical Genetics, University and Regional Laboratories Region Skåne, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Aad Tibben
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lisbeth Tranebjærg
- Department of Audiology, Bispebjerg Hospital/Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Genetics, The Kennedy Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, ICMM, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carla G van El
- Section Community Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martina C Cornel
- Section Community Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Dondorp W, de Wert G, Bombard Y, Bianchi DW, Bergmann C, Borry P, Chitty LS, Fellmann F, Forzano F, Hall A, Henneman L, Howard HC, Lucassen A, Ormond K, Peterlin B, Radojkovic D, Rogowski W, Soller M, Tibben A, Tranebjærg L, van El CG, Cornel MC. Non-invasive prenatal testing for aneuploidy and beyond: challenges of responsible innovation in prenatal screening. Summary and recommendations. Eur J Hum Genet 2015:ejhg201556. [PMID: 25828867 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2015.56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Revised: 02/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wybo Dondorp
- Department of Health, Ethics & Society, Research Schools CAPHRI and GROW, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Guido de Wert
- Department of Health, Ethics & Society, Research Schools CAPHRI and GROW, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Yvonne Bombard
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital & Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto,Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Diana W Bianchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carsten Bergmann
- 1] Center for Human Genetics Bioscientia, Ingelheim, Germany [2] Department of Medicine, University Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Pascal Borry
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lyn S Chitty
- Clinical and Molecular Genetics Unit, UCL Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital and UCLH NHS Foundations Trusts, London, UK
| | - Florence Fellmann
- Service of Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Lidewij Henneman
- Section Community Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Heidi C Howard
- Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anneke Lucassen
- Department of clinical ethics and law (CELS), University of Southampton and Wessex Clinical Genetic Service, Southampton, UK
| | - Kelly Ormond
- Department of Genetics and Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Borut Peterlin
- Clinical Institute of Medical Genetics, Ljubljana University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Dragica Radojkovic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (IMGGE), University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Wolf Rogowski
- Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt, Helmholtz Zentrum, München, Germany
| | - Maria Soller
- Division Clinical Genetics, University and Regional Laboratories Region Skåne, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Aad Tibben
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lisbeth Tranebjærg
- 1] Department of Audiology, Bispebjerg Hospital/Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark [2] Department of Clinical Genetics/The Kennedy Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark [3] Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, ICMM, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carla G van El
- Section Community Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martina C Cornel
- Section Community Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Colledge
- Institute of Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Bernice Elger
- Institute of Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Heidi C. Howard
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Inserm, UMR 1027, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
- Faculté de médecine Purpan, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
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Su Y, Borry P, Otte IC, Howard HC. “It’s our DNA, we deserve the right to test!” A content analysis of a petition for the right to access direct-to-consumer genetic testing. Per Med 2013; 10:729-739. [DOI: 10.2217/pme.13.69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Aims: Various companies are currently advertising or selling genetic tests over the internet using a model of provision referred to as ‘direct-to-consumer’ (DTC). This commercial offer of DTC genetic testing (GT) has fueled a number of scientific, ethical and policy debates. To date there have been few studies published regarding the users’ perspective. This study aimed to obtain information regarding the issues raised by individuals who signed a petition in support of DTC GT and the ‘unrestricted’ access to their genetic information. Materials & methods: We conducted qualitative content analysis of comments written by individuals who signed a public online petition initiated by DIYgenomics (CA, USA) to support “personal access to genetic information”. Results: Of the 523 individuals who signed the petition sponsored by DIYgenomics, 247 individuals also wrote individual comments. A content analysis of these comments reveals that petitioners raised six main issues in support of unrestricted access to DTC GT: that their ownership of their DNA should allow them to have unrestricted access to their genomic information; that they should have the right to their genomic information; that the government has no place in (further) regulating DTC GT; that healthcare professionals should not be placed as intermediaries when purchasing DTC GT services; that many petioners who had already obtained DTC GT had positive experiences with this model of provision; and that genealogy or ancestry DNA testing is one of the main activities petitioners wish to have ‘unrestricted’ or ‘direct’ access. Conclusion: These results give insight into why individuals may support unrestricted access to their genomic information and confirm some of the motivations of users for purchasing DTC GT. Our analysis also brings to the forefront themes that have been raised less often in empirical studies involving motivations to purchase DTC GT services; these include the strongly held beliefs of some petitioners that, since they own their DNA, they should have the right to access the information without (further) government control or physician involvement. Interestingly, the comments left by petitioners also reveal a certain distrust of governmental agencies and healthcare professionals. This urges us to further study the public’s views of these services and the potential impact of these views in order to responsibly address the ongoing debate on DTC GT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeyang Su
- Department of Anthropology, Centre for Bionetworking, School of Global Studies, University of Sussex, BN1 9SJ, Brighton, UK
| | - Pascal Borry
- Department of Public Health & Primary Care, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35 Box 7001, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ina C Otte
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Heidi C Howard
- Inserm, UMR 1027, Epidemiology & Public Health, Faculté de médecine Purpan, Université Paul Sabatier, 37 allées Jules Guesde, 31000, Toulouse, France
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van El CG, Cornel MC, Borry P, Hastings RJ, Fellmann F, Hodgson SV, Howard HC, Cambon-Thomsen A, Knoppers BM, Meijers-Heijboer H, Scheffer H, Tranebjaerg L, Dondorp W, de Wert GMWR. Whole-genome sequencing in health care. Recommendations of the European Society of Human Genetics. Eur J Hum Genet 2013; 21 Suppl 1:S1-S5. [PMID: 23819146 PMCID: PMC3660957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Carla G van El
- Section Community Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Howard HC, Joly Y, Avard D, Laplante N, Phillips M, Tardif JC. Informed consent in the context of pharmacogenomic research: ethical considerations. Pharmacogenomics J 2011; 11:155-61. [PMID: 21445091 DOI: 10.1038/tpj.2011.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Although the scientific research surrounding pharmacogenomics (PGx) has been relatively plentiful, the ethical research concerning this discipline has developed rather conservatively. Following investigation of the ethical, legal and social issues (ELSI) of PGx research, as well as consulting with key stakeholders, we identified six outstanding ethical issues raised by the informed consent process in PGx research: (1) scope of consent; (2) consent to 'add-on' studies; (3) protection of personal information; (4) commercialization; (5) data sharing; and (6) potential risks stemming from population-based research. In discussing these six areas as well as offering specific considerations, this article offers a solid base from which future practical guidelines for informed consent in PGx research can be constructed. As such, this effort works toward filling the ELSI gap and provides ethical support to the numerous PGx projects undertaken by researchers every year.
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Affiliation(s)
- H C Howard
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Borry P, Henneman L, Lakeman P, ten Kate LP, Cornel MC, Howard HC. Preconceptional genetic carrier testing and the commercial offer directly-to-consumers. Hum Reprod 2011; 26:972-7. [PMID: 21362685 PMCID: PMC3079469 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/der042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, a number of commercial companies are offering preconceptional carrier tests directly-to-consumers. This offer raises a number of concerns and issues above and beyond those encountered with preconceptional tests offered within the traditional health care setting. In order to bring some of these issues to light and to initiate dialogue on this topic, this article discusses the following issues: the current offer of preconceptional carrier tests (until the end of 2010) through online commercial companies; the implications for the informed consent procedure and the need for good information; the need for medical supervision and follow-up; and the appropriate use of existing resources. The article concludes with some reflections about the potential sustainability of the offer of preconceptional carrier tests directly-to-consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Borry
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Howard HC, Knoppers BM, Borry P. Blurring lines. The research activities of direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies raise questions about consumers as research subjects. EMBO Rep 2010; 11:579-82. [PMID: 20634807 PMCID: PMC2920435 DOI: 10.1038/embor.2010.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2010] [Accepted: 06/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Companies that offer direct-to-consumer genetic testing and conduct research are blurring the line between customers and research subjects. Should these companies adhere to the same ethical regulations as academic researchers? The research activities of direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies raise questions about consumers as research subjects
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi C Howard
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.
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Borry P, Howard HC, Sénécal K, Avard D. Health-related direct-to-consumer genetic testing: a review of companies' policies with regard to genetic testing in minors. Fam Cancer 2009; 9:51-9. [PMID: 19488835 DOI: 10.1007/s10689-009-9253-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2009] [Accepted: 05/20/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
More and more companies are advertising and selling genetic tests directly to consumers. Considering the ethical, legal, and psychological concerns surrounding genetic testing in minors, a study of companies' websites was performed in order to describe and analyze their policies with respect to this issue. Of the 29 companies analyzed, 13 did not provide any information about this matter, eight companies allowed genetic testing upon parental request, four companies stated that their website is not directed to children under 18 years, and four companies suggested that in order to be tested, applicants should have reached the age of legal majority. If private companies offer genetic tests which are also offered in a clinical setting, can they be expected to adhere to the existing clinical guidelines with regard to these tests? If so, a certain ambiguity exists. Many companies are emphasizing in their disclaimers that their services are not medical services and should not be used as a basis for making medical decisions. Nonetheless, it remains debatable whether genetic testing in minors would be appropriate in this context. In line with the Advisory Committee on Genetic Testing, the Human Genetics Commission addressed the problem of non-consensual testing and recommended not to supply genetic testing services directly to those under the age of 16 or to those not able to make a competent decision regarding testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Borry
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, Box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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28
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi C Howard
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven, Belgium.
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29
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Phelan R, Borry P, Howard HC. Letter to the Editor. Per Med 2008; 5:425-426. [PMID: 29783446 DOI: 10.2217/17410541.5.5.425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In response to: Howard HC, Borry P: Direct-to-consumer genetic testing: more questions than benefits? Personalized Med. 5(4), 317-320 (2008).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Phelan
- Founder and CEO, DNA Direct, Pier 9 - Suite 105, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA.
| | - Pascal Borry
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35/3, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Heidi C Howard
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35/3, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Wardley AM, Hiller L, Howard HC, Dunn JA, Bowman A, Coleman RE, Fernando IN, Ritchie DM, Earl HM, Poole CJ. tAnGo: a randomised phase III trial of gemcitabine in paclitaxel-containing, epirubicin/cyclophosphamide-based, adjuvant chemotherapy for early breast cancer: a prospective pulmonary, cardiac and hepatic function evaluation. Br J Cancer 2008; 99:597-603. [PMID: 18665163 PMCID: PMC2527826 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6604538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
tAnGo is a large randomised trial assessing the addition of gemcitabine(G) to paclitaxel(T), following epirubicin(E) and cyclophosphamide(C) in women with invasive higher risk early breast cancer. To assess the safety and tolerability of adding G, a detailed safety substudy was undertaken. A total of 135 patients had cardiac, pulmonary and hepatic function assessed at (i) randomisation, (ii) mid-chemotherapy, (iii) immediately post-chemotherapy and (iv) 6 months post-chemotherapy. Skin toxicity was assessed during radiotherapy. No differences were detected in FEV1 or FVC levels between treatment arms or time points. Diffusion capacity (TLCO) reduced during treatment (P<0.0001), with a significantly lower drop in EC-GT patients (P=0.02). Most of the reduction occurred during EC and recovered by 6-months post treatment. There was no difference in cardiac function between treatment arms. Only 11 patients had echocardiography/MUGA results change from normal to abnormal during treatment, with only five having LVEF<50%. Transient transaminitis occurred in both treatment arms with significantly more in EC-GT patients post-chemotherapy (AST P=0.03, ALT P=0.003), although the majority was low grade. There was no correlation between transaminitis and other toxicities. Both treatment regimens reported temporary reductions in pulmonary functions and transient transaminitis levels. Despite these being greater with EC-GT, both regimens appear well tolerated.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Wardley
- CR UK Department of Medical Oncology, Christie Hospital, Manchester M20 4BX, UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi C Howard
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Kapucijnenvoer 35/3, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pascal Borry
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Kapucijnenvoer 35/3, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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32
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Dupré N, Howard HC, Mathieu J, Karpati G, Vanasse M, Bouchard JP, Carpenter S, Rouleau GA. Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy with agenesis of the corpus callosum. Ann Neurol 2003; 54:9-18. [PMID: 12838516 DOI: 10.1002/ana.77777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy associated with agenesis of the corpus callosum (OMIM 218000) is an autosomal recessive disease of early onset characterized by a delay in developmental milestones, a severe sensory-motor polyneuropathy with areflexia, a variable degree of agenesis of the corpus callosum, amyotrophy, hypotonia, and cognitive impairment. Although this disorder has rarely been reported worldwide, it has a high prevalence in the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region of the province of Quebec (Canada) predominantly because of a founder effect. The gene defect responsible for this disorder recently has been identified, and it is a protein-truncating mutation in the SLC12A6 gene, which codes for a cotransporter protein known as KCC3. Herein, we provide the first extensive review of this disorder, covering epidemiological, clinical, and molecular genetic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Dupré
- Centre for Research in Neurosciences and the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal
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Abstract
A fundamental issue in molecular pharmacology is to define how agonist-receptor interaction differs from that of antagonist-receptor interaction. The V(1a) vasopressin receptor (V(1a)R) is a member of a family of related G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that are activated by vasopressin, oxytocin (OT) and related peptides. A segment of the N-terminus that was required for agonist binding, but not antagonist binding, was identified by characterizing truncated V(1a)R constructs. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that a single residue (Arg(46)) was critical for agonist binding and receptor activation. The N-terminus of the related OT receptor (OTR) could recover agonist binding in a chimaeric OTR(N)-V(1a)R construct. Furthermore, Arg(34) of the human OTR, which corresponds to Arg(46) of the rat V(1a)R, provided agonist-specific binding epitopes in the OTR, indicating a conserved function of this locus throughout this GPCR subfamily. Mutation of Arg(46) revealed that high-affinity agonist binding had an absolute requirement for arginine at this position.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Wheatley
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
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35
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Howard HC, Mount DB, Rochefort D, Byun N, Dupré N, Lu J, Fan X, Song L, Rivière JB, Prévost C, Horst J, Simonati A, Lemcke B, Welch R, England R, Zhan FQ, Mercado A, Siesser WB, George AL, McDonald MP, Bouchard JP, Mathieu J, Delpire E, Rouleau GA. The K-Cl cotransporter KCC3 is mutant in a severe peripheral neuropathy associated with agenesis of the corpus callosum. Nat Genet 2002; 32:384-92. [PMID: 12368912 DOI: 10.1038/ng1002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2002] [Accepted: 08/16/2002] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Peripheral neuropathy associated with agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACCPN) is a severe sensorimotor neuropathy associated with mental retardation, dysmorphic features and complete or partial agenesis of the corpus callosum. ACCPN is transmitted in an autosomal recessive fashion and is found at a high frequency in the province of Quebec, Canada. ACCPN has been previously mapped to chromosome 15q. The gene SLC12A6 (solute carrier family 12, member 6), which encodes the K+-Cl- transporter KCC3 and maps within the ACCPN candidate region, was screened for mutations in individuals with ACCPN. Four distinct protein-truncating mutations were found: two in the French Canadian population and two in non-French Canadian families. The functional consequence of the predominant French Canadian mutation (2436delG, Thr813fsX813) was examined by heterologous expression of wildtype and mutant KCC3 in Xenopus laevis oocytes; the truncated mutant is appropriately glycosylated and expressed at the cellular membrane, where it is non-functional. Mice generated with a targeted deletion of Slc12a6 have a locomotor deficit, peripheral neuropathy and a sensorimotor gating deficit, similar to the human disease. Our findings identify mutations in SLC12A6 as the genetic lesion underlying ACCPN and suggest a critical role for SLC12A6 in the development and maintenance of the nervous system.
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MESH Headings
- Agenesis of Corpus Callosum
- Animals
- Blotting, Southern
- Brain/pathology
- Canada
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 15
- Corpus Callosum/embryology
- Exons
- Gene Deletion
- Genes, Recessive
- Haplotypes
- Homozygote
- Humans
- Immunoblotting
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Microscopy, Fluorescence
- Models, Genetic
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Mutation
- Open Reading Frames
- Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/genetics
- Phenotype
- Polymorphism, Genetic
- Recombination, Genetic
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Sodium-Potassium-Chloride Symporters/genetics
- Spinal Cord/pathology
- Symporters/genetics
- Symporters/physiology
- Time Factors
- Xenopus
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi C Howard
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University and the Montreal General Hospital Research Institute, 1650 Cedar Ave., Montreal, Quebec H3G 1A4, Canada
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Howard HC, Dubé MP, Prévost C, Bouchard JP, Mathieu J, Rouleau GA. Fine mapping the candidate region for peripheral neuropathy with or without agenesis of the corpus callosum in the French Canadian population. Eur J Hum Genet 2002; 10:406-12. [PMID: 12107814 DOI: 10.1038/sj.ejhg.5200815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2002] [Revised: 04/11/2002] [Accepted: 04/12/2002] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Peripheral neuropathy with or without agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACCPN [MIM 2180000]) is an autosomal recessive disease characterised by progressive sensorimotor neuropathy, mental retardation, dysmorphic features and complete or partial agenesis of the corpus callosum. The ACCPN gene was mapped in 1996 to a 4 cM region on chromosome 15. We have since collected additional French Canadian (FC) families and typed a total of 11 polymorphic markers spanning approximately 18 cM on chromosome 15. Through the use of haplotype analysis we have confirmed the presence of a founder haplotype in the FC population, and identified critical recombinants which reduce the ACCPN candidate interval to a approximately 2 cM or 1000 Kb region flanked by markers D15S1040 and ACTC. Linkage disequilibrium analysis supports the haplotype data, and suggests that the ACCPN gene lies nearest to marker D15S1232.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi C Howard
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Montreal General Hospital, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Hawtin SR, Howard HC, Wheatley M. Identification of an extracellular segment of the oxytocin receptor providing agonist-specific binding epitopes. Biochem J 2001; 354:465-72. [PMID: 11171127 PMCID: PMC1221676 DOI: 10.1042/0264-6021:3540465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The effects of the peptide hormone oxytocin are mediated by oxytocin receptors (OTRs) expressed by the target tissue. The OTR is a member of the large family of G-protein-coupled receptors. Defining differences between the interaction of agonists and antagonists with the OTR at the molecular level is of fundamental importance, and is addressed in this study. Using truncated and chimaeric receptor constructs, we establish that a small 12-residue segment in the distal portion of the N-terminus of the human OTR provides important epitopes which are required for agonist binding. In contrast, this segment does not contribute to the binding site for antagonists, whether peptide or non-peptide. It does, however, have a role in agonist-induced OTR signalling. Oxytocin is also an agonist at the vasopressin V(1a) receptor (V(1a)R). A chimaeric receptor (V(1a)R(N)-OTR) was engineered in which the N-terminus of the OTR was substituted by the corresponding, but unrelated, sequence from the N-terminus of the V(1a)R. We show that the V(1a)R N-terminus present in V(1a)R(N)-OTR fully restored both agonist binding and intracellular signalling to a dysfunctional truncated OTR construct. The N-terminal segment does not, however, contribute to receptor-selective agonism between the OTR and the V(1a)R. Our data establish a key role for the distal N-terminus of the OTR in providing agonist-specific binding epitopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Hawtin
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, U.K
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Morton CC, Christian SL, Donlon TA, Driscoll DJ, Fink JK, Gabriel JM, Gotway G, Greally JM, Hitchins MP, Howard HC, Ji Y, Leonard S, Lerner T, Magenis E, Malcolm S, Ohta T, Rainier S, Rees M, Riley B, Robinson WP, Saitoh S, Schultz R, Sell S, Sharp JD, Nicholls RD. Report of the fourth international workshop on human chromosome 15 mapping 1997. Cytogenet Cell Genet 2000; 84:12-21. [PMID: 10343092 DOI: 10.1159/000015203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C C Morton
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Ingram CD, Terenzi MG, Howard HC, Windle RJ. Central oxytocin neurotransmission. Receptor characterisation and role in modulating limbic circuits in the peripartum period. Adv Exp Med Biol 1999; 449:225-30. [PMID: 10026809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C D Ingram
- Department of Anatomy, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
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Howard HC. Stricture of the Rectum treated by Fibrolysin. Proc R Soc Med 1910; 3:87-90. [PMID: 19974177 PMCID: PMC1961498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
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